I can't believe I missed church today.
Now before somebody starts clutching their pearls, let me be clear... I don't think I'm going to hell because I missed one Sunday service. I don't think God is sitting on His throne looking down saying, "Well Thomas, that's it. We've had a good run." 😂 And I definitely don't think I'm about to turn into a pillar of salt because I overslept and misunderstood the schedule. 🤣🤣🤣
The funny part is this: I'm never late for work.
If my job says be there at 8:00, I'm there.
If somebody I care about calls and needs help, advice, prayer, a ride, or somebody to help move a couch that should have never been purchased in the first place, somehow I find a way to show up...ON TIME!
But church? Today I got caught slipping.
Part of it was my fault. I saw they had two services listed: 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM. What I failed to notice was that the 11:30 service was ONLINE ONLY.
Reading is fundamental, ladies and gentlemen. 🤦🏾♂️😂
Then life started life-ing.
I woke up with a toothache that felt like it was auditioning for a horror movie. Which is fitting because I stayed up way too late watching horror movies the night before. Then I made a quick grocery run that turned into one of those "I'm only getting two things" trips that somehow becomes a full-blown expedition looking for ginger dressing.
The good news is God isn't limited to a church building. Scripture tells us not to forsake gathering together (Hebrews 10:25), but it also reminds us that God's presence goes wherever His people go. So while I missed the service, I didn't miss God.
Honestly, today was a reminder that good intentions still need preparation. Jesus told His disciples to "watch and pray." Sometimes we need to watch our schedules too. 😂
Lesson learned: get some sleep, read the entire announcement, stop assuming, and maybe don't let a horror movie marathon make decisions for Sunday morning.
Next week we'll try this again. Hopefully with less Dracula, less tooth pain, and a little more attention to detail. 🤣🙏🏾
Missing a church service once in a while can feel disappointing, but it often offers valuable lessons in balancing priorities. From my own experience, missing a Sunday service doesn’t mean missing out on God’s presence. Modern church services vary broadly, including online-only options, which can be confusing if not carefully noted. This reminds me that staying attentive to announcements is just as important as the commitment to attend. Life can throw curveballs—whether it's a toothache or an unintended grocery expedition—that disrupt even our best plans. Yet, these moments encourage reflection on grace and flexibility in our faith journeys. For example, Hebrews 10:25 urges believers not to forsake gathering together, but it also reassures that God is wherever His people are. Personally, I’ve learned to prepare better by double-checking church schedules, getting adequate rest, and resisting the temptation to let distractions like late-night streaming affect my Sunday morning readiness. Sometimes, humor helps too; acknowledging that a toothache 'auditioning for a horror movie' and a late-night horror marathon influenced my Sunday illustrates the importance of self-care alongside spiritual care. Ultimately, missing church once in a while serves as a reminder to watch and pray—not only spiritually but practically—so we can show up when it matters most. This experience encouraged me to embrace patience with myself and recognize that God's connection isn't limited to a building or service time, but grows through intention and heartfelt faith.
