I had the blessing of making another friend who has been visiting our church with her family. Last July they moved here, during the pandemic. Everything was online so there was no sense of community, church or place for them to plug into. For three years they had had a hard time finding a church that was Bible based or that was not a mega church. She said this was a good time to lean on the Lord and teach her children to do the same. Being a hugger this pandemic has felt like a drought for her. She is ready to hug again. God brought blessings from this tough time such as she will never take church for granted again and she hopes families stay slow in their schedules. Romans 8: 28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Last December they found our church online. She said the whole family walks away thinking. Getting connected has been difficult for her son. They attended a youth picnic and two young men and their parents came and introduced themselves. The next week at football practice her son saw one of the young men and he said hello to her son. That was a turning point for him. Thanks to that young man making a difference for a visitor! 1 Thessalonians 5: 11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Young people can definitely be an example to us! 1 Timothy 4: 12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” Because of that her son is open to going to youth. We have no idea what our random acts of kindness can do. Just speaking to someone makes a difference. What a small thing to do on our part to encourage others!
I explained my job is writing blogs that are “glory sightings” at church and asked her what her glory sighting was. She said there are a bunch of little things that have made her feel whole again. She said the Sunday after Easter was one of her favorite Easter sermons because of the excitement. She still thinks about the pastor saying, “it may be Friday now but Sunday’s coming!” Seeing her kids come to church without the bribes of doughnuts or lunch out has been amazing. Another glory sighting is always having a discussion on the sermon on the way home. Recently she saw a woman praising God with her arms raised and moving all around. She said even though she has not worshiped like that she loved it. It was so genuine. People were greeting each other after not seeing each other for a while and you knew there were lots of friendships here!
“It has been a long time since I was excited to go to church again.” She said she loved watching the service online but they love being IN church to feel the energy and electricity from the other people worshiping. She said “there is a buzz in there! It feels good to feel good again!” Acts 2: 2, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” I would say that is the power of the Holy Spirit! Welcome home, Laura! You do not have to go through life’s ups and downs on your own. We need each other in our church family. Romans 1: 12, “...that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Together, we form God’s church. Ephesians 2: 21-22, “In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”
If you do not have a church or are not in the presence of God each week, you need some encouragement! Life is too hard to do it alone. Ask God to show you where to go. There is a church home for you are needed!
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