This morning as I lie awake in bed I let my mind skip back to the joy I felt yesterday morning. I was in the presence of the Lord and was among people who truly loved Him.

I thanked Him for allowing me the privilege of going to church.

I have so many cherished memories of church when I was a young girl.

I remember being so very excited about the Christmas pageant. It was always such a joy to have a new dress and get up on stage and sing Christmas carols.

My church would hand out a bag with an apple, orange, some nuts and some candy after the Christmas event. I remember thinking how great that was.

It wasn’t that I didn’t get good food from my parents, my Mother was better than Betty Crocker, but this bag was mine.

One of the funnest times of my childhood was riding my bike into town for Daily Vacation Bible School. I enjoyed learning about God and the picnic at the end had some of the best food. The watermelon was always delicious.

Recently I studied the festivals of the Old Testament and their corresponding symbolic replication in the New Testament. I realized from all of the festivals that were demanded by God that He revels in celebration.

He is not grumpy. He is not angry. He is not judgmental.

He is totally into having a celebration!

Church should be inspiring and fun.  I think that as soon as you leave the parking lot you should have the yearning to turn right around and go right back. You definitely should feel loved.

I know that is exactly how I felt yesterday and how I have felt many times about the churches which I have been so blessed to have been a part of.

In Psalms 84:1 the Bible says, 1)”How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 2) I long, yes, I faint with longing to enter the courts of the Lord.”