Why Bother? By DeAnn Hein It’s Sunday morning. The alarm is blaring as someone mutters, “Do I have to get up and go to church?” Believe it or not, this is not some rebellious statement mumbled by one of my sluggish teenagers on an early Sunday morning. This statement is mumbled by me — mother and wife. As soon as this utter nonsense of “Do I have to get up and go to church?” leaves my mouth, the usual excuses surface: I’m an exhausted mother who just needs a few more precious hours of sleep. I don’t seem to get much out of church anymore — between telling my two-year-old to whisper and my fouryear-old to keep his hands to himself and pay attention, half the sermon is over before I can focus on it. It seems as though I’m sitting when everyone is standing, or I am bending over to pick up bits of Cheerios® off the floor instead of singing the liturgy. Many Sunday mornings, I struggle with tears of frustration and ask God Himself, “Why bother?” The answer God gives is simple: He commands it. In Exodus 20:8, God clearly states, Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy. Martin Luther explains further, “We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word, but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.” Fortunately for me, church is exactly where a worn out, exasperated mother should be, despite all the usual distractions. It is here that God “bothers” to speak and truly be present in His Word. He “bothers” to come with His forgiving body and blood in, with, and under the bread and wine to give salvation and life eternal with Him in heaven. Washed and renewed in the simple waters of Baptism, I am reminded weekly that the Divine Service is the perfect place for all sinners. God lovingly “bothered” to send His one and only Son to die on the cross for all sins — even my sin of asking, “Why bother?” It’s Sunday morning. The church bells are ringing. As my family wrestles to get into the pew, I recall the words of a favorite hymn, “Today your gate is open, and all who enter in; Shall find a Father’s welcome and pardon for their sin. The past shall be forgotten, a present joy be given, A future grace be promised A glorious crown in heaven.” Why bother? I may still continue to ask myself that question, but the answer remains the same: There’s no better place for me. DeAnn Hein is a stay-at-home mother of six and wife of one. She lives in Billings, Montana.