SEASON 2, EPISODE 5, “THE CAMPOUT”

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MORE THAN SUNDAY RITUALS

“Fellowship and neighborliness are not just for Sundays.”

—CAROLINE INGALLS

For many believers, Sundays transform our daily activities. Some of us put on our Sunday clothes and Sunday smiles and head to church. Setting our busy schedules aside, we take time to talk to people in the lobby and greet other churchgoers after the opening song. We sing and pray and read from the Bible. Later we sit out on our decks and laugh with our neighbors or go out for Sunday brunch together. Caroline Ingalls noticed the tendency of her children to act differently on Sundays. She gently reminded Laura and Mary that kindness is for every day of the week.

My children don’t always get along. Like many siblings, they irritate each other easily. But for some reason, Sundays are a whole different story. I don’t know what happens at church to alter their thinking. Almost every weekend after service, they disappear into one of their rooms and have the best time together. More than on any other day!

Sometimes I find myself wishing that Sunday would come around so the bickering would stop for a few glorious minutes. It’s such an incredible, Spirit-filled day. And we all need more time to come together and refresh our souls before the week starts.

I realize every day can’t be a Sunday, but how can we bring a piece of it into the ordinary days? I’d like to think our patience and kindness are not dependent on the day of the week. My faith has to be more than simple knowledge, more than Sunday rituals.

The fact is, the Holy Spirit is always with us—He never leaves us. If through the Spirit the love of Christ is dwelling within us, then naturally it will spill over into every corner of our lives. We can cultivate this love all the days of the week when we obey and make a special effort to be good to the people around us. Caroline’s advice always rings true: kindness is for every day.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

EPHESIANS 3:16–17 NLT

What do you do differently on Sundays? How can you integrate your faith with your everyday schedule?