"Photo of the Week".

Hello steemians. Trust we're having a blessed week. I thank @aviral123 for organising this beautiful contest to bring out our different talents here.
I've chosen to do a creative writing in this contest.
Please sit tight as we go through this together.

Some years back, the flare in me to fellowship with others had gone frigid. It became a habit I was comfortable with, which made me seldom went to the house of God.

I lived with my elder sister who would warn me against making up excuses; but the good thing is, I was never spanked. We grew up in a family where our parents rarely raised a finger at us. The words of their mouths were powerful enough to make a wise child repent from their boneheadedness.
My elder sister, Ima, grew tired of me in a way I didn't understand, cause I felt completely abandoned.

I mean, I brooded there was no big deal on if I wanted to go to church or not. I was good to people, and respectful and generous, name them.
I diligently studied my Bible and prayed. But Ima wouldn't want to see this with me. She insisted I went to church which I was very much uncomfortable with at this point.
"May I ask why?" Ima questioned after returning from church one Sunday.

"Doctrines, people and hypocrisy" I said. I wasn't ready to talk about it because each time I thought about it, it literally broke my heart. So many churches do not know why they exist, so why would I want to go to church and see a pastor preach doctrines other than the Word.

The other time, an elder suspended a man in the congregation for a sin he committed, while this same elder had impregnated a sister in church without being called to order. The prayer warrior was a pain in my neck, as he'd often raise prayer points that never aligned with the Scripture, yet nobody, not even the pastor could say something to that.

"I understand," Ima said after a long stare. "If only, these people could realise what they're doing, they'd retrace their steps." I was happy Ima had finally agreed with me.
"But," she interjected, "that's not a good reason to stay back from church. Every church has her own side of the story that isn't all good. There's no perfect place for you to fellowship with others."

"Doctrines, people and hypocrisy" I said. I wasn't ready to talk about it because each time I thought about it, it literally broke my heart. So many churches do not know why they exist, so why would I want to go to church and see a pastor preach doctrines other than the Word?

The other time, an elder suspended a man in the congregation for a sin he committed, while this same elder had impregnated a sister in church without being called to order. The prayer warrior was a pain in my neck, as he'd often raise prayer points that never aligned with the Scripture, yet nobody, not evrealizepastor could say something to that.

The primary aim of the church is to bring Christians with our differences together, and melt those differences in Christ. God saw that we needed to see people and discover how to operate with each of them. You should know your reason for going to church; not because you're born into a Christian home, or you don't, because you feel you know better. I once thought I could bond perfectly with Go,d at home when I was 17, but guess what?

A young girl of about my age, saw me as I was returning from school, stopped me and thanked me. I was confused, I didn't know what I had done until she mentioned it to me that I helped her grow in her faith unconsciously. We were never in the same church, but my commitment to church activities and my lifestyle had gone a long way to be of great help.

It meant I could encourage someone who wasn't sure of her reason for being in church to step up a bit to see it. I could also challenge him/her to grow deeper in the truth, and share my gift with them. "After she said this, I ran back to the house and cried to God. I had mixed feelings. But I'm glad He stepped in when it wasn't late."

You're only 14, and I believe God is ready to take you back in His arms if you realise quickly the sin you've committed and ask for forgiveness." Speechless is how I found myself.

"It's a command, not a choice," she counseled sitting back on the chair with her eyes closed.

Would like to invite @anthony002, @ukpono and @ahbaz for this contest.