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Leaving the Party for Church

Why My Saturday Nights No Longer Go Until the Sun Rises

By Michelle SchultzPublished 5 years ago 3 min read
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"Hey, why are you leaving the party so early?"

"I have to get up for church in the morning."

It's not something you hear very often among the 20-something crowd. But when you ask me why I'm leaving a party early on a Saturday night or why I'm not drinking on a night that I don't have my kid, my answer will almost always be "I have to get up for church in the morning." It's not said in a groggy-I-don't-really-wanna-go voice. It's said in an excited-happy-to-be-leaving voice. I am not, by any means, super religious; but I look forward to waking up for church every Sunday.

Many people think of church and think of constant standing up, sitting down, kneeling, walking, remaining silent and weird chant-like singing. Or they think of church and associate it with something bad or negative. Or my personal favorite: they assume you've been going to church your whole life and it's just a habit now. For some people, that's true. But I didn't grow up going to church every Sunday. In fact, unless it was Easter or Christmas, we didn't go to church. Church was dreaded in our house. Looking at it now, it's a shame that so many people see church as a punishment.

When I think of church now, I think of a community. I think of all the sweet people that I get to see every Sunday morning. I look forward to hearing about the volunteer projects they have going on this week. I can't wait to go up for communion and have the sweet lady who gives me the wine, bless my daughter because she's not old enough to receive communion yet. And I enjoy the fact that when I sit in that church, even if just for an hour, I don't feel so alone.

I know that I can turn to anyone there, strike up a conversation with them and they will honestly care about what I have to say. If only for an hour, I'm a part of something so much bigger than myself. If only for an hour, I'm not so alone. I've had people tell me that what I'm feeling is false. It's not real. They don't actually care. But I don't believe that. I've met these people. I spend every Sunday with them. You can tell me all you want that they don't actually care, but the man in the back who offered to hold my fussy daughter while I go up for communion tells me otherwise. The woman who asks me every Sunday if my daughter is running away from me yet, tells me otherwise. The woman at the front desk who remembers the one time I brought my step-mom and asks about her every Sunday, tells me otherwise. The man who stood and talked to me almost the entire service about my epilepsy and how I'm controlling it, tells me otherwise.

I'm not saying every church is amazing and everyone should go. Church isn't for everyone and I get that. Not all churches are great, and I get that too. I've been treated badly at a church before. When you find a church that welcomes you without judgement, without wanting anything in return, that's a good church. I was lucky enough to find that church. It took me awhile and it took a church turning me away for me to find a place that I really felt I belonged.

Parties are great. I love to party. I'm the go-to girl to make jello shots and other such party favors. But I would choose church over a party any day of the week. Sure, you're not alone at a party. However, you're not a part of something bigger. There is no bigger picture to a party. When I'm at church, I'm part of a community that cares and welcomes me with open arms. Being a single mom has made me feel more alone than I've ever felt in my entire life. Sometimes, the feeling actually scares me. When I'm in that church, surrounded by those people, it's not so scary. I'm not so alone. I could write some baloney that I don't believe about it being God filling me up with love, but I won't. I don't believe that. I believe God lead me to these people though. These amazing people, who make you remember what it's like to have someone who is honestly happy to see you every week.

So, this Saturday night, when someone inevitably asks me why I'm not doing shots with them, my answer will be the same. "I have to get up for church in the morning."

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About the Creator

Michelle Schultz

I'm mostly an editorial writer. I love to share my opinions and experiences. I don't hold back and I swear so if you take offense easily, my articles probably aren't for you. I'm a single mom just trying to stay sane.

@loreleismom

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