When we stopped going to church on Sundays. 

I’m watching Jordan and Spencer playing with a ball and chasing each other around the living room, laughing while I make dinner, and I’m thankful. 

Thankful because we just got home from church and no one is stressed and we were able to just worship and participate in the service without any distractions or hang ups. Thankful because we actually look forward to church now instead of thinking of it as a huge hassle. Thankful because it feels like we’ve finally gotten to a point where our focus is on being present with God and with our church family, instead of focusing on how tired and annoyed we are. 

We don’t go to church on Sundays anymore. 

Our church offers a 5 PM service on Saturdays. It’s the same as the Sunday service. We started regularly attending the Saturday service this winter and there has been a noticeable difference in our family dynamic and in our marriage and in how we express our faith. 

Sunday used to be the most dreaded day of the week for our family. I don’t think it’s supposed to be that way, but it just was, and I felt guilty for thinking that way. Spencer didn’t handle either morning service well as they both conflict with his normal naptime. We were usually running around, trying to get everyone ready and fed and out the door, and feeling rushed and stressed. We always, without fail, got in an argument on the drive to church. We were just on edge and when I’m on edge, I snap on Jordan. 

We would get to church, Spencer would cry hysterically in the nursery, and I would sulk through the church service worrying about him and not feeling much like worshipping. I couldn’t focus on the songs or the message or the prayer or any of it. I would sit and feel guilty for getting in yet another argument with Jordan. Why did I always get so annoyed with him on Sundays? 

I’m not sure exactly why, but Saturday church has been so much better for our family. Not only do we love going to church and get so much more out of it, but Sunday now truly feels like a day of rest instead of a day of being stressed. I’m thankful that we have different options for service times.