A couple of years ago after a bad church split that left me unemployed and them disenchanted, my BIL and SIL struggled to find a church home. If you’ve ever experienced home at church, it’s hard to settle for anything less. Through a work relationship, they discovered it once again. Pastor Mark a bi-vocational minister slowly built a relationship with that family that drew them to a body that has been life changing for them and a true God send as they have battled cancer focusing on what truly matters. They have been loved on and taken care of by true sisters and brothers in Christ. We have born witness to this as we’ve been with them through the hospice experience: washing laundry, bringing food, lovingly present, and caring for Dwight’s soon departing earthly body.
Our own church family has done the same for us. Weekly notes in the mail – “we’re praying for all of you,” texts from my small group Bible study women where I can be as real and as raw I want, and the appointment of a coordinator with an army behind her to care for whatever we need – food, childcare, or just a listening ear are how we know we are not alone. These types are bodies are hard to find, but priceless. I’ve been blessed to now know three in my lifetime. A place where imperfect people demonstrate God’s love through the good times celebrating with you and hard times providing hearts that listen and tangible demonstrations that He is far from dead.
