When Praise Becomes Your Homeplace

Well, bless my Sunday hat, friend, ease yourself through that ol’ garden arbor and grab the chair beside them yellow geraniums over here on this ol’ front porch. There’s plum enough sunshine spillin’ across the yard to make a lil’ ol’ mockingbird think he’s done been hired to lead in worship, and somewhere beyond the fence an ol’ bobcat’s probably mindin’ everybody else’s business but his own. That there sho’-nuff’ seems like a real fine settin’ to talk about somethin’ Christians were never meant to be doin’ all alone.

After Jesus ascended, His disciples didn’t scatter back to their old routines. Luke 24:52–53 says, “They returned to Jerusalem with great joy and “stayed continually at the temple, praising God.”

They stayed.

They gathered.

They worshiped.

They had downright watched Jesus leave their sight, yet instead of sittin’ around lookin’ plum sorrowful as a lil’ ol’ wet chicken under a wash tub, they went back together and praised Him.

There’s something mighty important in that.

Christian fellowship ain’t merely occupyin’ the same pew once a week. It’s remindin’ one another of what’s true when somebody’s faith gets real tired. Hebrews 10:25 tells us “not to give up meeting together but to encourage one another.”

Sometimes your praise sho’-nuff’ strengthens somebody sittin’ three seats away that barely had enough courage to even come through the door.

And Psalm 84:4 says, “Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.” God plum designed us for worship and community because faith sho’-nuff’ grows stronger when believers keep pointin’ one another toward Him.

Church ain’t where perfect people gather. It’s plum where weary people remember together that Jesus is still Lord.

Father, keep me close to You and connected to Your people. Guard me from becoming isolated, distracted, or casual about worship. Let my praise encourage someone else, and use the fellowship of believers to strengthen my faith. Keep my heart joyful in Your presence until Jesus comes again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Now, tuck your Bible up under your arm and mosey right on back into the day, friend. A single coal sho’-nuff’ cools mighty fast when it rolls away from the fire. Even the lil’ ol’ whippoorwill sounds better when the whole congregation of creatures within the woods joins in with the evenin’ chorus. Stay plum close to Jesus, stay real close to His people, and keep right on praising. One glorious day, the worship we practice down here will downright become the worship that never ends.

With joy,

Gwen