How did you like church?

garydrobinson — Wed, 20 May 2009 20:41:08 +0000

I’m participating in a community theatre production of THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL. The young woman who plays my “wife” recently attended worship where I preach. I asked her via e-mail how she liked church. Her response is one of the most thoughtful and endearing I’ve ever received from a first-time visitor. With her permission, I’m sharing her message with you:

well, i gotta tell you that it was very hard. i haven’t stepped foot in church (but one time) since i lost my grandfather in ’98 (he was a deacon/elder at Church of Christ in Jamestown). it’s like, i do everything imaginable to keep from feeling any emotions except humor and anger (the easiest to deal with); so when i was there, i kept choking back the sadness the whole time. Pam [who came with her] probably thought i had a chicken bone lodged in my throat

I know that it’s silly & selfish of me to keep away from my Father’s house because of an inability to deal with my past (believe me, you’re dealing with a girl that’s just about seen & done it all), especially since Jesus is the sum total of forgiveness and new beginnings; but when i get close to those things, i swear i could just be swallowed whole and washed away. like i could open my mouth to cry and i’d never stop. man, talk about unloading… i’ll bet it’s difficult (but, i know, rewarding to an extent) to always be dealing and coping with others’ troubles. i hope that YOU have someone to help you through things (?)

but one bright (unexpected) turn: after I left church, i contacted a very very very bad influence in my life and gracefully asked this person to keep away. just one tiny step; but i realized that i DO want to be happy, and that i AM willing to change in order to become happy. who’da thunkit? thanks for inviting me. does your church have any ”extras” (you know, groups or activites or whatnot)?

Lena

Look! Up in the Sky » church

How did you like church?