Why Fellowship?

I remember years ago when I first became a Christian I couldn't understand why our church had so many Sunday school classes and after service activities. It seemed like everyone wanted to stay at church. I would argue with my husband about attending all of these extra things. My excuse was that I didn't know anyone and besides none of them liked me anyway. An even bigger arguement I started every Sunday morning was why did we have to attend a Sunday school class? Wasn't an hour of church long enough? My husband grew up in the church and I didn't. Everything was new to me. I just didn't get it. However, I loved my husband and wanted to respect his wishes so I be-grudgingly went. As time went by God slowly changed me from the inside out. I began to grow in my Christian walk. I realized how thoughtless and disrespectful I had been to God and my husband. I started letting down some walls that I had built so high to keep everyone out. I actually enjoyed getting to know people and letting them get to know me. I took a genuine interest in the church. Before long I started to volunteer as a youth leader. I was comfortable around the teens seeing as I have two of my own. I loved going to church and couldn't believe that I had ever been so blind and selfish. I needed these people and this fellowship as much as they needed me. Now days if the church doors are open my family and I are there looking to serve joyfully. Fellowship is what God expects of us. We cannot be fully alive in Christ without embracing others. My prayer is that each and everyone of you who feel like I once felt to see church for what it really is, a place where God's people come together for His glory not our own. Fellowship with other believers is a gift. Accept the gift with a joyful heart you could very well end up like me. In love with Jesus and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Romans 12:4,5 says "So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." and Romans 12:10,13 " Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."