A Classic Re-post from 2002
The happiest moment of my week is when the last strains of the organ prelude die away and I stand up to welcome the people to church and I look down to my left and see my family all lined up on the pew in their Sunday best. That is a beautiful sight.
We live in a parsonage a few blocks from the church now, but in our former church we lived about twenty miles away. We always went to church in two cars so I could go early and Lois would have a little longer to get ready.
When I would leave I would shout to the family, “The first load for church is leaving in fifteen minutes.” Then I would make announcements in five-minute increments after that.
Five minutes later I would call out loudly, “Ten minutes.” Five minutes later I would call out again, “Five minutes.” Then, finally I would shout, “Load up, the first load is leaving now.” This is an old family custom I learned from my Dad.
Some of the children would go with me early the rest would come later with Lois. Usually the boys were in the first load because they were small and spend less time fussing over their personal appearance.
One sunny Sunday morning I called out, “Last call. The first load is leaving now.” Just then I heard a little low voice cry out, “Wait for me I’m coming. Wait for me” and little Heidi who was about four came scampering down the stairs in a slip with her dress and Bible and shoes in her hands. Her blonde hair was all askew and she was trying with all her might and concentration to get down the stairs and into the car before I left.
The sight arrested my heart. Immediately a spontaneous prayer formed in my soul; “Oh God, may my precious little girl always be so eager to worship you.”
The law of God says, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” God created the Sabbath Rest and the Lord’s Day to refresh the spirits of His people. He made us and He knows we need it. It should be a season of refreshing to our souls. God meant for it to bring us joy. David said; “I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.'”
I love the things of the Lord. I love to hear the people of God sing and the organ ring. I love to hear the Word of God taught and preached. I love to see the saints of God young and old gather in on a sunny Sunday morning. I love to see families lined up on the pew, seeking God together. I love the Lord’s Day. I always have, and I love it when my children share that love. When they are eager to worship my heart is glad with a deep gladness. I’m sure that’s how the Heavenly Father feels. God’s true children delight in Him and they delight in His house and in His day.
On the Lord’s Day, when the Heavenly Father looks down, always be there and worship Him with childlike eagerness.
