I am in a small group in my church. It is a group of really cool people who most may consider misfits in some circles. It is a group which I find deep fellowship within.

Today I found out they were having a Christmas dinner. I had not gone last Monday night so I didn’t know until this morning that they needed me to bring something. I had to work all day so I did not have time to cook anything. Plus one of my sons came home earlier than I expected so I try to spend as much time picking his brilliant brain as possible when I do get home.

I had made extra party mix though so I told them I would bring that plus some sweets if I had the time. It ended up with me just bringing the party mix. I felt kind of bad for only bringing that but this group is so cool that they wouldn’t have cared what I brought just as long as I brought me.

I had called my son to ask if he would go with me. He said “No, because he didn’t know anyone there.” I said, “Okay.” Then I remembered that one of the guys was going to medical college so I told him he may get some pointers on the MCAT which he will be taking next year.

I rushed home after having a busy day at work. My sweet son had made me dinner so I ate a bit of dinner before I went for a walk to work that dinner off, just to turn around and go to another dinner. As I was getting ready to leave, my son asked me what the Bible Study was going to cover. I said “Nothing, we are just going to eat.”

He then indicated that he may be interested in going and he changed into a better set of clothes in case there were any pretty girls there. (Boys will be boys)

We had a fabulous dinner and came home with a rack of ribs from the guy who heads the Bible study and supports his ministry by barbecuing. The ribs will be a blessing for the next week because I had nothing in my frig to feed my kids until the big Christmas dinner. What a great God I have.

The coolest thing about the whole night was that we had such a wonderful time. My son really enjoyed the company and said how much he liked the group of people. I told him hanging out with Christians wasn’t all that bad and I would prefer them over anyone.

Sometimes I think we get so caught up in being “church people” that we forget it isn’t supposed to be what we do for one hour in a building. It is supposed to be how we live each and every moment. Other times I feel that most people wouldn’t mind coming to church if we would show them the love of God when there isn’t a pulpit.

I am hoping and praying that this son feels the presence of God in his life because he is searching for that. I know that if he was looking for love he would have found it in the midst of us this evening.

I am thankful for the family I have within this small group and so grateful to God for my church. You can be a Christian without going to church but I would reckon you would not be as deeply loved.