On the Sunday mornings when my husband leaves early for band practice, I'm left with a daunting task: All three of our girls need to be dressed and ready for church. A huge undertaking, considering I also need to be ready, and my youngest needs to take a nap beforehand. And Sundays are never quite like the weekday ramble. There always seem to be struggles, and I'm often ignorantly caught off guard. You'd think I'd understand by now. Sunday mornings seem to be the prime time for the enemy to steal my joy.

Not only steal my joy, but offer the ever-so-subtle lie that fellowship with other believers isn't necessary. Like right about the time when I should be at church at 10:30AM and we are piling in the car at 10:25AM. Or the time my baby girl begins screaming the moment I place her in her car seat. Or when there are accidents and blow outs galore, and I'm too weary to pull the morning together.

IT JUST ISN'T WORTH IT!

Or is it?

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Ephesians 4:16, NIV

Fellowship is necessary for believers.

We are not meant to journey this life alone.

Self sufficiency is pride.

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Hebrews 10:25, NIV

So, yes, it is worth it. It's worth it, mothers of young children, even if it means your children are not all gussied up with their finest attire. Maybe you'll pull your hair back in a ponytail if it means you get to fellowship with other believers on a Wednesday night. Life isn't always pretty. (Yes, I believe I've left the house quite a few times with at least one child looking like a ragamuffin.) Why do we feel we have to have it all together to join in the body of fellowship?

Just as grace is extended from the Father, the body should also extend grace. Because the truth is, we'll never have it all together. The body is full of sinful but redeemed people, all longing for the change and renewal our merciful Father can give.

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For the study this week, we will be reading Scriptures relating to community with the body of Christ. Please click here to download the reading guide. Let's begin by reading Monday's verse:

“From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:16, NIV

As you read the verse, consider the following: