We were late. Again.

Someone couldn’t finding their shoes. Someone else suddenly needed a snack. The boy’s church clothes technically fit… in the way that counts if you don’t look too closely. There was toothpaste on at least one face (maybe mine), and the hair situation was best described as “good enough”.

And for a moment, I almost talked myself out of going.

Because the kids were already restless. Because I knew they’d be loud during the quiet parts. Because sitting still for an entire service is not their spiritual gift.

But here’s the thing. That’s not the point of coming to church.

We didn’t come to prove we have it together. We didn’t come to model perfect behavior. We didn’t come to heck the “respectable family” box.

We came because church isn’t for polished people – it’s for present ones.

Yes, my kids whispered too loud during the sermon. Yes, they fidgeted and asked questions mid-lesson. Yes, one of them needed to walk out because their body just couldn’t do the still anymore.

And still – this mattered.

Because church is where they learn that they belong before they behave. It’s where they see adults worshipping even when life is messy. It’s where faith is modeled, not mastered.

The lesson didn’t land perfectly. The message was half-heard between wiggles and trips to the hallway. But seeds were planted anyway. And maybe that’s the real point.

Showing up tired teaches something. Showing up imperfect teaches something. Showing up as a family that needs grace teaches something.

And if you were there too – running late, clothes a little snug, kids a little loud, wondering if you should’ve just stayed home – hear this:

You didn’t fail. You showed your kids that faith isn’t about performance. That church isn’t about silence or appearances. That God meets us as we are – toothpaste and all.

So yes, we were late. Yes, the kids were loud. Yes, it was uncomfortable at times. But we came.

And sometimes, that’s the whole win!

Ps if you need a church family let me know we love where we worship and you can come sit by me the mom who definitely has a very loud and messy pew!