It's been a week and half since our whirlwind trip to South Mississippi to visit Providence Primitive Baptist Church in Stringer, Mississippi. It was such a wonderful trip for so very many reasons, that when I asked Gary and the kids what blog topics we should consider for this month, everyone agreed I should write about the meeting.
Preaching
Of course the primary reason that Gary and I go to Church meetings is that we expect the Lord to bless the preaching. We purposefully chose to go places that are having in men known to study and apply themselves then trust the Lord to bless their efforts. We also go places where the home minister is solid so that we never have to worry about what we will hear from the stand. We can trust it will be biblically sound doctrine. After all who would want to waste an afternoon after driving across the country on something unsound. However, we feel like we know Brother Mark very well, trust his judgement, and know that he is prayerful about who he would put up in the pulpit that is under his charge, and so we had no concerns about the trip to Providence and we weren't disappointed.
We heard eight sermons over the weekend, but the one that stood out the most to me was Elder Adam Green's sermon on "Who hath despised the day of small things?" He took a portion of the verse in Zechariah 4:10, and told us that despised in the Bible doesn't mean to have a deep hatred for, like we most often use the word today, but rather it means to not esteem or to consider something to be of little value. He pointed out that we all often, in that respect, despise the small things; however, what God calls us to be faithful in is the small things. He pointed out that at the last day when God commends his children that it's not for mighty works, but for being faithful in small things like providing a cup of water to a thirsty man (Matt 25). He pointed out the tribe of Dan was the last tribe to march out when the ark of the covenant moved, but that they would also be the last line of defense to help stragglers or see and rescue items that had been dropped or lost (Num. 2:31). Finally he pointed out Jesus who lived a life of quiet Godly service, obedient to parents, attending to the Sabbath, and faithful in all areas of the law for 30 years with no notice or acclaim. And how at his baptism, God was pleased not with what He would do, but was already well pleased. He then pointed out how many little things we are called to minister in and faithfully carry out, and how it pleases the Lord when we are faithful in these areas.
Parenthood is a plethora of small things, daily carried out without notice or thanks. It is a big reason why I struggle so with it. There is no paycheck, no job well done compliments, no acclaim from peers or co-workers. Just little jobs that no one sees unless they are left undone. Who ensures that there is always clean laundry, who picks up medication, who plans the fun activities and makes sure there are snacks in the car? While our kids have several chores each day and are fantastic help, there is still so very much unseen and undervalued work that happens on the parents part. It is a comfort to know, especially for this type A personality, that even if no one else sees it and values it, the Lord does. He sees every small task and small sacrifice for our families and it pleases Him when we are faithful in those small things.
Fellowship
A secondary reason that we visit these meetings is for the fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I have several sweet friends around the country, that I love dearly and who have been a deep comfort to me over the years. But the friends that I have the most in common with are those friends in the Church.
Evening Fellowship
Gary and I go to these meetings and live for the moment that we get our kids situated, and the little ones in bed asleep, and then can sit up and visit until the wee hours of the morning. Of course there is always over lunch and between services to fellowship as well, but nothing is quite like being able to relax and know that the kids aren't getting into mischief they shouldn't or being interrupted by them 150 times in one conversation. Sometimes we tell stories about meetings and ministers, sometimes we talk scripture, other times we testify of how the Lord has been with us. No matter what we discuss there is always a fair amount of scriptural maters and humor mixed in the conversations.
Providence did something unique which we loved. They rented a couple of Air B-n-B's to house several visiting families. As a result we got to spend far more time with others than we might have otherwise. Gary thinks we should look into it instead of a hotel for our summer meeting. On Friday night, we got to sit up with all the Texans and catch up with old friends. We commiserated about parenting and laughed over some old stories of mutual friends. I didn't hang out as long as I would have liked because I was beat from the all day drive to get there, but Gary hung out well past midnight. On Saturday night, we sat up with the younger adults, and were the oldest two in the group. We discussed scripture and dating. It's strange to be on the end giving advice these days. And even stranger to think anyone would want our opinion. (Our pastor would probably joke that idea is frightening.)
Then there was also the fellowship time Saturday around supper. More and more churches seem to be moving away from the Saturday evening service and instead having a time of fellowship. It's a move that I support. Often by Saturday night everyone including the ministers are pretty wiped out and while services can be just as blessed, often the congregation is too tired to really absorb it all even when they are blessed. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. On the other hand it does provide an opportunity to sit and talk with our brothers and sisters again over a meal. We had a wonderful time Saturday evening. I got to sit and listen in on some of the elders and brothers discussing scripture before supper. Then in the kitchen I stood around and talked with another twin mom, who has survived her's till 16 (thus far). After supper, I hung out with the young adults and talked scripture and listened to them relating their attempts to share our beliefs with others. Finally, I wrapped up the evening hanging out with a soon to be mom and some sisters helping her navigate labor and delivery and postpartum. Gary and the kids mingled just as much and the ride home was full of snippets about different conversations with different people.
Kids Fellowship
The kids had a wonderful time of fellowship as well. They hung out with each other all evening until bedtime and played together after services. Sometimes they even were allowed to go and sit with their friends during services. Kate made a new friend who is just a month or so younger than her - Abigail. Those two were so alike and played so well together. Kate even rode with them to Church one morning and sat with them. Rebecca hung out mostly with some friends from home that were also at the meeting, but she too had a good time swapping up cars and sitting together during the meeting.
Ruth was old enough this year that we allowed her to spend the night with the other girls around her age and older at the other house. They laid out air mattresses and pallets in the floor of the living room and all enjoyed talking into the night. She mostly hung out with Sisters Ana-lee and Ellie. They were defeated by a strange coffee machine, that they never figured out how to make work, and enjoyed hearing Bro. Jeb play the guitar. She sat with the other younger ladies during services and we hardly saw her until it was time to leave, but she had a ball.
Britt too is growing up and spent the entire weekend with the young men. He was one of the youngest, but they all slept in the living room floor at the house we stayed at. They discussed justification by faith and Proverbs. Britt also reported that some of them talked about trying to meet girls, but he wasn't interested and went and hung out with the preachers. One night they used some butter and bug spray to start a fire in the fire pit since there was no kindling. He rode shotgun with Brother John Mark all weekend and talked while they ran errands. They all also had some friendly competitions, one night playing corn hole and another night playing Smash Brothers on the Nintendo Switch. In his words he "had a GREAT time!"
Singing
After reading the post to the kids, they told me I had left out an important part of the meeting - the singing! We really enjoy the song service at these big meetings. When so many Old Baptist with such a sincere love from the Lord sing out with enthusiasm the services can't be anything else but uplifting and edifying to God's people. This weekend was no different. The brothers leading did a good job in selecting songs, and everyone sang from the heart.
While at the meeting we enjoyed preaching that glorified God while instructing us, we sung praises to His name, we met friends new and old, and found Providence Primitive Baptist Church to be one of the friendliest and most hospitable groups of people we've ever met. We can't wait for the opportunity to be with them again in the future.
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