Church
by adustyframe ~ February 16th, 2007I drove past our old church yesterday.
My father was the pastor there for 12 years.
My husband and I were married there.
As I drove by a picture flashed in my mind. My husband and I in our wedding attire standing at the top of the stairs laughing while the wind whipped my veil around my face.
After my parents moved far away (new church for my Dad), my husband and I continued to attend there.
Some things happened that hurt us. We also reached a point where we felt that we couldn’t participate in the ministry and we had to find a new church home.
Leaving hurt. I felt like “Hey! We were here first.”
We loved everyone at the church. We planned to rear our family in that church.
It was home.
Our city offers few options for churches that believe as we do. The next city offers a few more. We weren’t willing to drive to another city for several reasons.
We started the Church visiting routine, but quickly settled at our current church.
My Dad knew the pastor and we felt very comfortable with his education and beliefs.
For 8 years, we’ve called this church home. Change occurred. We called a new Pastor. Our life took an apparent nose dive. God brought new families.
As I drove past the old church yesterday, I was blessed to realize that I am not hurt over it anymore. My inlaws still attend church there. That Pastor stopped a few times to visit my husband in jail. We have no hard feelings.
The interesting thing is that God used that hurt to give us a reason to find our current church.
Our current church is incredibly Biblically based. Our people love each other.
We’re NOT perfect. (Hey I’m a member and I’m not perfect.)
God knew though that at this point in our lives this church was going to be there to help stand in the gap for us.
Our Pastor has done so much for us. He has stood very firm on God’s Word when he counsels us. He is not afraid to ask convicting questions. His love for my husband–in spite of his sin–has been a major turning point in my husband’s life.
He has also been a good listener when I need to ask questions or unload. He offered to let me come by his office and cry if I need to. However, crying in front of ANYONE is not my idea of fun. I’ve not taken him up on that.
His wife has watched my son, given him rides, been a homeschool supporter.
This week, I got cards from some of the ladies.(I think we’ve been missed.)
Pastor called to check on us. He told me I’m doing a good job.
I appreciated hearing that. I needed to hear that.
Another family calls me regularly to see what rides my son needs.
Another lady encourages me on a regular basis. She emails me songs or poems or other things she’s found.
When we were in upheaval over having to leave our old church, we couldn’t have known that God was providing a new church that is abundantly over all that we could ask or think.
Thank you, Lord.
February 17th, 2007 at 12:05 am
thank You, God, for Your Sovereignty. Thank You for moving us, guiding us, preparing us, in ways that sometimes we never know – and sometimes we get to so poignantly know someday. You are SO awesome! I love You, Ame
February 17th, 2007 at 3:48 am
The church family can be such a wonderful blessing when they are walking with God. He is just so kind to tell us to meet togeher- not just tell, but command. He knows our inclination would be not to….and yet He knows the blessings and benefits we recieve from Christian fellowship.
February 17th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Oh…some of these sounds very familiar and I’ve experiened many of these as well
I’m glad you found a church right for you. God bless you today.
February 22nd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
At the risk of sounding like a complainer, I truly desire our church to be as loving, friendly & supportive of the church family as yours is. I miss that kind of church family.
I thank God that He brought such a wise pastor to your church.