Church...

I was raised to follow my heart and choose what I feel is right vs. my parents choosing what religion I will be... I was raised my a Muslim, I have been to catholic masses, Lutheran, baptist, Unitarian, evangelical and even went to catholic high school, one that excepted/taught all religions....
For the last year or so, I have sporadically attended a church in Oak Park and even attended some of the seminars...But last weekend, I realized it also just wasn't me. Yesterday, I attended a new church that I found about from a friend, and came to realize that I know MANY people attending.
I have been seeking some sort of religion for some time, just felt the need and I am not quite sure why, a need I cant really put into words, but I know its what I need and something that I want for my children.
Yesterday, there was NO discomfort, no "weirdness" for lack of better terminology which I had been experiencing at the other. It was....FANTASTIC! It is a contemporary service but still with ALOT of teaching. A VERY young minister who is also FANTASTIC!!!!
Yesterdays teaching could not have been more perfect to be my first either! It was about recapturing joy. One example for instance really hit home! HE was reading a story about a father and his young daughter that routinely before bed would do a dance and sing a song and flail around the living room. One night the dad asked his daughter to "hurry up" and she asked the profound question of WHY? He didn't have an answer, and at that moment he realized that he was taking joy away from her. That he should be happy that his daughter is happy!!!! My daughter NEVER stops singing...she NEVER stops dancing around, or talking for that matter. I always find myself irritated with it, and asking her to stop. Now I have been forced to look back as what I was taking away from her!
There were 3 steps to recapturing joy
1.STOP FORGETTING -
2.STOP COMPARING
3.STOP WAITING!!!!!!

It was truly amazing. Since I didn't have the kids with me yesterday, I had the entire rest of the day to reflect on what had been said to me that morning. I spent the rest of the day re-reading the teachings that the pastor had shared with us, and then began to follow the guidelines at the beginning of the bible to read it! (the right way) :) In three hours I reached where you are supposed to be on day 15, but I couldn't stop.

It feels pretty nice.... I have to admit for someone that has never really been "religious" just lived it in my daily life to put context to it all!