New Church

Yep … we made a big life change this week.  I think it was a long time coming and nothing our previous church did specifically to push us away but more the direction of the religion as a whole.  But alas this blog is not intended to spark a religious debate.  We have never judged anyone for their religious beliefs and hope in turn to not have people judge us for ours.

Any whosey … we took the plunge and walked into a new church this Sunday not knowing quite what to expect.  I likened it to starting a new school half way through the school year.  Especially in this case because we chose a smaller church and had a pretty good idea that members all knew one another. 

We got there super early … well 7:50 for an 8am service which is apparently early since the parking lot had exactly 2 cars in it.  We decided to take a little cruise through the village and come back hoping to see some more cars.  Phew we were right.  All these early risers liked to make it just in time for the start of the service.

We walked in the doors and followed the line to where the pastor was handing out the service bulletins.  He made eye contact with me and immediately said “I don’t believe we’ve met” … such a good warm feeling J  At our previous church we were often lost in the crowd and that community feel just wasn’t there.  We often hoped that once our children were school aged and attending school at the church we would make church friends.  But then it occurred to us that children may never happen for us … not for a lack of trying I’m just being realistic.  Do we want to wait to feel like we belong?  Okay back to present tense lol.  I introduced myself and hubby and we were immediately welcomed and thanked for choosing to worship here this Sunday.  We took our seats thinking the introductions were over and it was going to be smooth sailing from here on out. 

About 5 sentences into the service … “We have some visitors here with us today, please welcome Don and Amanda” … and there it was.  An entire congregation was now staring and smiling at us.  It wasn’t as bad as I had envisioned in my head but when you have skin as fair as mine the red in your cheeks gives everything away!!   

As soon as the introductions were over it became eerily clear why God had directed us to this church.   The theme of the sermon … Where is God during the hard times?   It was like they were talking directly to us!  I was dumbfounded.  I just could not get over it.  It wasn’t until we got to the sermon that I couldn’t control the tears.  And I was worried about making it through introductions without embarrassing myself lol.

We were asked to open the Bible in the pew in front of us and turn to Psalm 13 - “How long, O Lord?  Will you forget me forever?  How long will you hide your face from me?  How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day sorrow in my heart?”  This! … this exactly … I have prayed time and time again and not because I knew it was a verse from the Bible but because it is heavy on my heart every day while we wait for our family to be complete.  How did they know?!  They didn’t know, God knew.  He knew that I needed to hear I was not the only one who had come to him with these words.  And that he hasn’t forgotten me.  That when I remember to bring him what is heavy on my heart he listens and lifts me up through my faith.   

Thankfully by the end of the service my tears had dried and I had cleaned the mascara from my face.  As we waited patiently to file out we were approached by other members who wished to introduce themselves and welcome us.  It was amazing!  We were the last ones out of the church and waiting for us was the Pastor again who spent 25 minutes getting to know us and answer any questions we had.   It was good … all of it was so SO good.  We left feeling uplifted, at home and in awe of our God.  This was the plan … his plan all along J

 

Oh and yes … we are going back next Sunday.