Prayer meetings and babies

I often wonder when getting ready for prayer meeting on Wednesday nights - is it worth it? To take my tired, crying baby and leave her in the nursery, knowing that it's already past her bedtime, and that it will be 2 hrs past bedtime by the time we get her to bed tonight. When I'm weary and wondering if I'll even be able to stay awake to pray. When I know my kids will be extra tired tomorrow after going to bed too late tonight.

Yet with few exceptions, I am always glad in the end to have gone. To have met with God again in the midst of His people. To have had my vision refocused on the Things that Matter, drawn away from the near-sightedness of my own circumstances to see the Big Picture, the wideness of God's Kingdom, and the greatness of the needs of others as compared to my own.

I am strengthened by having touched base with my brothers and sisters, sharing the joys and struggles of their week thus far, and having someone to share my own joys and struggles with. I am encouraged by hearing of answers to prayer, rebuked for my prayerlessness and forgetfulness of others, and emboldened to ask greater things of my able and willing Father.

And though in the midst of weariness and tired children on Thursday, I may forget why I was glad I went to prayer meeting the night before, I always know in my heart that it was good for me to go.