I have a confession to make.  I didn’t get a thing out of the service this morning.  It wasn’t Pastor Andy’s fault – he is an amazing speaker and the series on Friends has held my interest from the beginning.   The problem today was all my own.  I didn’t even realize there was a problem til the altar call when I saw people responding to God’s specific call in their hearts and felt left out.  God called and I missed it!  How did that happen?

I’ll tell you how it happened.  I was writing a new piece this morning – exciting but I was thinking, “I can work on this til the last minute and then I can get there.”  I worked til 8:15 and got dressed (so far so good) but then I noticed how incredibly beautiful the sunflower field behind my house was and just had to take a picture to show Karen & Melissa when I got to church.   Before I could do that, I had to download the pics from my camera to the computer to make room.  “Okay, ready to leave the house – it’s 9 o’clock.  I’ll be late but I’ll still get there before the music is over.” I thought.  I grabbed my Bible, closed the door and got in my car, at that point realizing I had left my keys in the house.  That took some time – through the dogs and in the back door, grab the keys and out again. 

9:10.  “Okay, this is still doable – I’ll just really have to focus on the Lord once I get there. ”  Back to the car, turned the key and then remembered I never got gas the day before.  Not even enough to get from our house in the country to the church.  Crud!  To Wayne’s Texaco on the highway to get gas.  Now I’m on the long road to church.  At this point it’s going to be after 9:30 before I even get to the parking lot.  In the door, talk to the usher, by the time I get seated Andy has started the message. 

10:10.  I’m listening to Andy, taking notes, hearing him talk about how to hear God’s voice but I’m obviously not getting it.  Maybe that’s because I’m also making lists about the brunch I’ve decided to host at my house next weekend so my friends can see those glorious sunflowers  – guest lists, menu, table cloths – oh yeah, jot down Andy’s next point.  God communicates with us.  Got it.   

Before I know it, I hear Allen playing again and realize it’s the altar call – God is doing something and I’m missing out!  There is a moment of jealousy – how could I have missed Him? Then the clear, still voice that says, “it was your choice Pam.  I was here.  You’re the one that didn’t show up.”   Ouch.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:14

Most Sunday mornings, I have coffee with my husband and listen to worship music while I dress.  Paul leaves early to usher.  I have a last cup of coffee and gather up my Bible and notebook.  On the way to church it’s a conversation with Jesus, usually thanking Him for the life He has given me.  There is SO MUCH to be thankful for.  The words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart prepare me to hear from God.  When I get to church, I find fellowship, worship and a message that directly applies to my life. 

Each week Allen and the music team prepare the music that leads us into worship.  Pastor Andy, Chad or Todd prepare to bring the Word; Steve and his team are ready to teach our children.   They’re ready but am I? 

Have I prepared my heart for worship or have I been so busy focusing on things that don’t last that I miss yet another divine appointment?   I sadly wonder how much of God I’ve missed by showing up and taking notes, but not really tuning in to what the Holy Spirit is doing.   Turns out I have a responsibility to do more than just walk in the door if I want to participate in the relationship God invites me to.

This is the day that the Lord has made.  I will (to) rejoice and be glad in it!  Psalm 118:24

It’s early on a Sunday morning and here I am writing again – finally finishing this post up.  There’ve been a few Sunday mornings since that day the sunflowers were blooming so beautifully.  The flowers still stand in the fields surrounding our house but the plants are turning brown and their heads droop with the weight of their seed.  They are not nearly so beautiful; instead they are a stark reminder to me of the lesson learned that morning.  Each Sunday now when I wake up, I am very much aware of whose day this really is, if I’ll give it to Him. 

I don’t want to be just another member of the crowd when He walks by today, I want to be the one He touches, don’t you?  So I’ll wrap this up, turn some worship music on, have a cup of coffee with Paul and begin preparing my heart.  I can’t wait to see how Alan, Andy, Chad, Brent and Steve have prepared the way for God to work this morning.  Today I’m determined not to miss out.

Funny thing, church is always rewarding when I make the effort to really show up.