I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.”  Psalm 122:1 NKJV

I grew up in a household with a mother who was a devout Christian and a father who was unsaved until I was older. It kept things interesting, but there was also a great deal of stability there, even though my parents were unequally yoked for so many years of their marriage.

And even though there were some things my parents may have disagreed upon, my mom usually got her way. And when it came to her and me, there was one thing I knew for sure. Sundays were for church. So were Wednesday nights. And when Vacation Bible School rolled around, she would teach, and I would attend. Even though my mom cared for her elderly parents while raising a young child, had grandchildren, and worked a full-time job, she always attended church every time the doors were opened. She served on committees, in the choir, as a Sunday School teacher, and church clerk.

I’m glad she did. When I got older and was out on my own, I was still drawn to attend church, but if I went a couple times a month, I was good with that. I paid my tithe and thought all was well.

I was blissfully ignorant of the fact that God wasn’t blessing my disobedience. I thought I could make good things happen in my life, and I could make plans, and God would get on board. I was clueless.

Thankfully, I realized my mom had been right all along. Church was not optional for me. I needed to be there. I needed to spend Sunday praising the Lord and spending time with my church family, as well as my biological family. I needed to go into His house and praise Him. I needed to remove the distractions that come with our everyday life and devote specific time to worship and praise Him and study His word. I needed to be involved in my church.

People often tell me they can worship God anywhere, and this is true, but do they? When I invite people to church, I get various responses. I’m not surprised at their responses because I used to use the same excuses for missing church. I’ve come to realize, however, that whatever my excuse, God can work it out if I put Him first.

I’ve come to realize I need God more than I need late nights out with friends and more than I need days spent boating on the river. I need God more than I need anything else. Nothing has brought peace and joy into my life that He has.

Mom was right when she told me to trust in God. She was right when she told me to go to church every time the doors were open. She was right when she taught me to study His word.

Even my dad eventually realized Mom was right and surrendered his life to Christ at the age of 80. He too, began to attend church regularly.

I spent many years of my life thinking I could keep one foot in the world and the other foot in the church. I was wrong.

Mom was right when she told me I had to put God first in my life, and everything else would fall into place. I don’t know if you had an adult who encouraged you to go to church and put God first. I don’t know if you spent any time in church growing up, but I know you can fix that here and now. Find a good Bible teaching church. Surrender your life to Christ and trust in Him. You will be so glad you did. And if you have children or grandchildren, encourage them to attend church to help them deal with all the evil in this world today.

I miss a lot of things about my mom, but I’m most thankful that she taught me to love the Lord with all my heart and put Him first in all I do. I encourage you to do the same.

Have a great day!