No Coincident

I have talked to a couple people about a church I was attending several months ago. I really felt like this church was where I wanted to put down roots. I was excited about finding a new church home after being a vagabond for the past 4-5 years. However whenever I tried to call the church for information about Sunday classes, life groups, volunteer opportunities, my messages were left un-returned. I tried emailing people, but never received anything back. After several phone and email attempts I gave up. I was really hurt and decided if the church can’t return a phone call, how could I rely on them to help me with anything, let along guide me spiritually.

I can’t emphasize how truly hurt I was because already in my mind I was looking forward to this place being a part of my life. I was thinking about how I could contribute to their philanthropics and volunteer opportunities. Part of me had visions of my children baptized there after Capt Jack was born. I had high hopes but then again I had never been treated like this by a church before. That being said, I left with a very heavy heart. I started roaming from church to church again. However, as silly as it sounds, months later after my last visit, thoughts of this church would fall into my mind from time to time.

So today I went back again. I had intentions of talking to the preacher after the service and hopefully get some answers as to why no one ever responded to someone one reaching out. On the drive there I prayed that if nothing else, I would be able to let go of the way this church ignored my requests after visiting one last time. What happened was no coincident. During the service the preacher had the entire congregation split up into small groups of 10-12 and answer questions about how to reach out to new people better, why are people not joining small groups, what makes a great church and why would someone leave. The ENTIRE service was about how they could reach out to new people better and how to keep connections with members already attending.

The preacher’s wife was actually the leader of our small group and questions that have been in the back of my mind were answered or at least acknowledged. I don’t know how God could have answered my questions any clearer. And to a hard headed straggler who has been wandering for such a long time, crystal clear is the only answer I would have probably heard. I cried the entire drive home because I just could not write any of this off to coincident. It’s pretty amazing to see God do something or answer a question so clearly. Needless to say, I will be going back next week. Today was a good day.