My parents joined this church when I was about 3 or 4. So, it's been a part of my life for about 20 years. I grew up there; went through many rights of passage there. Many of the members have been there since I was a small child as well. That community has been a hugely important part of my life.
I have often thought that my faith is something separate from my church. My faith is mine but my church is where I go to gather and learn more. It's where I can build relationships, find support, and meet God collectively. To me it's also like an equipping station to help my faith. It's not the sole place where faith is expressed.
Having my children grow up in this place, where so much of my life happened is a big deal to me. That those relationships they'll build, the teachings they'll receive, and memories they'll make will hopefully be like mine.
Last week a woman came up to me in church, she showed me a picture she took of my Mother and I, we were holding hands and praising together. She told me when she saw that tears came to her eyes. That I may not have known all the people who prayed for me growing up, but people watched me grow and saw who I have become. Her sharing that with me- I nearly cried. I have had other woman who poured wisdom and prayers into my life, say they were proud of me. People who now pour into my children. Those moments are so precious to me.
I love my church. Beyond that the style of worship is familiar to me, beyond the teachings that challenge me, beyond the familiarity of the building itself. I love the people it is filled with. I think God is within people. Naturally people aren't perfect, but neither are families. My church is like an extended family. I see love in those relationships. I can't even say all the people in my church that affected my life. It's somewhat emotional for me to talk about- some of them are no longer here.
My Mother's best friend Annette. She prayed for me so much in my life. I knew, most of my childhood, that that woman prayed for me almost daily. That meant so much to me, it was such a comfort. A man named Norm Chris, he prayed over me so many times, listened to me when I was upset, he cared for me and so many people. He touched so many lives. They have both gone to be with Jesus but their legacy lives in my church.
I had them listed at first but I don't have all their permission so I'll just say this, there are so many so many women in my church who have lead by example to me. Women that span generations mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends who are such servants. They are women with grace and dignity. They are women who have taught me how to be a mother, a wife, a giver. Some of them don't even know it.
I went through my tumultuous teen years in this church. Let me tell you- they were rough. I was an emotional storm. I needed guidance a lot. These people, through talking with me, listening to me, and being along side me, helped me grow into the person I am now. Which, while I still have miles to go am far better now. I am so grateful for that. These men and women watched me, prayed for me, and gave me wisdom, such wisdom.
I look at the generation now, currently in their tumultuous teen years, I'm glad they are there. I am hope I can be an example like that. We don't always know how the ripples of our actions go. The example we set when we think no one is watching. Some of these members, may not know that I saw them, living their lives; sometimes taking a behind the scenes role in serving but I saw them. They are important.
There are good, strong, and wise men in my church too. Men who I hope my sons see. Hard workers who serve as well. Men who give their time, who work where few see, who give with integrity.
These are men I hope my sons emulate. Men like their Father.
A church is more than a building, more than a service on Sunday, more than "hey Jesus is cool!" We forget that sometimes, the role we play as attendees. We forget that our impact can be good or bad as we sit in the seat, as we come to a picnic, or as we greet (or don't) a person we see in the grocery store.
Over the years my church has changed, sometimes drastically, from the building itself to the people within it. I have seen people come and go for whatever reason. I keep coming back, because of what I've found there. I come back, for the teachings because I need them and for the people because I love them and find love in them. We are the church, not the just Pastor not just the building. Those who are in it are just as important. We all represent the God we love. I have been blessed to have watched that with good memories, not everyone has. I hope that I continue in my church to be a part of sewing those good memories into others.
I have wanted to write something here about my church for a while now, yet lacked exactly what to say. Part of me has wanted to challenge people: "This is place is good, we are important, we are the church! So let's do that! For. Real." Part of me has wanted to celebrate the people who have blessed my life so much. This is the culmination of that. People are people, the communities we build with people are flawed. However, the body that is the church represents the God we desire to serve. All of us. We're called to be a part of it and unless God says "Go here and leave" we're called to be in it. I look at my life as an example of this, people who sewed into my life perhaps without knowing it. That impacted it so positively and who's absence would be felt deeply.
Last Sunday is another moment in the book of memories at Open Bible that I will cherish. The dedication of my child. I have such a "book" so to speak: memories of time with God, times of huge lessons and teachings, and times of relationships I am so blessed with. To me, God is in all of the those moments- isn't that what church is for?