Dining Room Sanctuary2 min read

Last weekend we embarked on Round 2 of social distancing at home worship. I will admit, the first Sunday was rough. Don’t get me wrong—I am grateful for live streaming capabilities; I am blessed to have the Word of God preached to me during a time when I cannot gather with my visible church family. But this home worship business is tough for a pastor’s wife of four kids.

As a mothering achievement, I had finally reached the coveted, highly-sought-after normalcy and expectation of “We are in God’s House, I expect you to behave” behavior for which all moms of young children aim. Being out of the building, away from the pew, it was maddeningly difficult to convince a 5-, 7-, 8-, and 10-year-old that the dining room table is now a place to be still and listen to dad. They don’t always listen to him when he’s in the house, let alone on a screen.

I wasn’t mentally prepared for the challenge.

My expectations were unrealistic. I lost my temper, I lost my patience, I lost a bit of my wherewithal. So last week, in between triage home-schooling, normal chores, meals, and video chatting with relatives, we added a bit of color to our dining room window to remind us (all 6 of us) that church is not a building; it is a people, and we are the people of God.

Using washi tape and inexpensive watercolor paint, our 10-, 8-, and 7-year-olds helped to transform a normal window into a makeshift stained-glass window. It shines brightest at sunset, reminding us all that tomorrow is a new day.

And although tomorrow may be filled with unknowns, we can be certain that God’s love remains steadfast (Psalm 136:1) and it will be a day in which we can rejoice (Psalm 118:24), a day filled with our Heavenly Father’s mercies awaiting new for us (Lamentations 3:23).

I long to return to my extended church family. I want to sit in our “family pew” and greet our familiar “pew neighbors.” I want to join my voice in a song with hundreds of believers. I want to be united in prayer, Scripture, and the preached Word. I eagerly anticipate seeing, visiting, meeting, and laughing with them again. Lord willing, soon.

But while I wait, I can’t help but realize my longing is a tangible anticipation that echoes the yearning I have for the New Creation, the meeting of the saints triumphant, and the joys of the kingdom to come. My longing to worship in my local church is but a small taste of my longing to worship in perfect unity with my Redeemer.

So the next Sunday, when we once again attended church in our dining room, I came prepared with a thankful heart, a pocketful of patience, and a joy that cannot be shaken.

_{Photo by Sam Britton}