Where I come from

Do you ever look at where you’re from - town, family, church - and are just filled with thanksgiving?  I am.  Especially recently, though I’m not sure why.  For me, my church is a huge part of ‘where I come from’.  Church has always been a big part of who I am.

See, God’s been working on me for months, now.  And for some reason, I keep pushing Him away.  Acting as if I don’t need His help, when I so desperately do.

Let me give you a little background about my church life, and how it’s evolved.  My experiences with God have opened my eyes, and my heart, to how I WANT my relationship with God to be, and now I just need to make it a priority and make it happen.

*********

From the time I was born, I was raised in the church.  Meaning, I’ve always gone to church.  I’ve been a member of only two churches in my 27 years.  And I feel like I’m blessed for that.

My first church is a traditional church.  It’s an old building on a hill with a steeple, stained glass windows, baptismal pool behind the choir loft, pulpit in the center, rows of pews, a piano, two organs, and a cemetery.  It’s not a large church.  But it was ‘home’ to me for all of my teenage years.  It’s where my grandparents still attend.  It is filled with an older generation that is steeped in tradition, faith, love, support, and hope.

This church met on Sunday mornings at 9:45 for opening assembly (yep, that’s what it was/still is called), 10:00 for Sunday school, and 11:00 for worship/sermon.  You sing hymns with the piano and/or organ.  There’s a choir up front.  There’s only one pastor, and he lives with his family in the parsonage on the church grounds.

About 2.5 years ago, I went from the above mentioned, traditional church (and there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with this type of church; it’s what I grew up in, and I wouldn’t change that for ANYTHING), to a contemporary church with a full band, worship pastor, 2-service Sundays (one at 9:30 am, one at 11:00 am), youth pastor, senior pastor, and family ministry pastor.

It was kind of an adjustment. But a GOOD one.  It had gotten to the point at my old church where I was just going through the motions.  I wasn’t growing, and my relationship with God was suffering.  I needed a change.  I needed more.

And God answered.  In a big way.  See, it wasn’t hard for me to leave the church – the building and traditions – it was hard to leave the people.  These are people whom I’ve known my entire life.  That’s what small-town living is.  And I still miss some of those people more than I thought possible.  Especially the ones that are no longer on this earth.  Oh, but how I know they’re happy and rejoicing in heaven. :)

God led me to Crosslink Community Church.  And He led my brother there, too.  And it has been the biggest blessing in my life to watch my brother grow closer and closer to God.  So close, in fact, that the leadership of the church saw Brock as man of distinction – someone they wanted as a deacon of our church.

God led me to meet new people who are excited about Jesus.  He has surrounded me with people who are in love with God, and I’m so thankful. They make me want to be a better person, a better Christian.

So, now, Crosslink is part of ‘where I come from.’ And I cannot wait to see what else God has planned for my life.

I just need to let go of the reigns I think I have on my life, and let Him take over.  God knows best, anyways. :)

Where do you come from?  Small-town living or big city life? Did you grow up in church, or are you still searching for your home?

*********

Have a great Wednesday, y’all! :)