"CHURCH IS HARD" POEM

Church is hard for the person walking through the doors,
afraid of judgment.

Church is hard for the preacher's family,
under the microscope of an entire body.

Church is hard for the prodigal soul returning home,
broken and battered by the world.

Church is hard for the girl who looks like she has it all together,
but doesn't.

Church is hard for the couple who fought the entire ride to service.

Church is hard for the single mom,
surrounded by couples holding hands,
and seemingly perfect families.

Church is hard for the widow
and widower with no invitation
to lunch after service.

Church is hard for the deacon
with an estranged child.

Church is hard for the person singing worship songs,
overwhelmed by the weight of the lyrics.

Church is hard for the man
insecure in his role as a leader.

Church is hard for the wife who
longs to be led by a righteous man.

Church is hard for the nursery volunteer who desperately
longs for a baby to love.

Church is hard for the single woman
and single man,
praying God brings them a mate.

Church is hard for the teenage girl,
wearing a scarlet letter,
ashamed of her mistakes.

Church is hard for the sinners.

Church is hard for me.

It's hard because on the outside it all looks shiny and perfect.
Sunday best in behavior and dress.

However, underneath those layers,
you find a body of imperfect people,
carnal souls, selfish motives.

But here is the beauty of church --

Church isn't a building,
mentality, or expectation.

Church is a body.

Church is a group of sinners,
saved by grace,
living in fellowship as saints.

Church is a body of believers
bound as brothers and sisters
by an eternal love.

Church is a holy ground where
sinners stand as equals before
the Throne of Grace.

Church is a refuge for broken hearts
and a training ground for mighty warriors.

Church is a converging of confrontation and invitation.
Where sin is confronted and hearts are invited to seek
restoration.

Church is a lesson in faith and trust.

Church is a bearer of burdens
and a giver of hope.

Church is a family.
A family coming together,
setting aside differences,
forgetting past mistakes,
rejoicing in the smallest of victories.

Church, the body, and the circle
of sinners-turned-saints,
is where He resides,
and if we ask,
He is faithful to come.