This photo was from Easter 2009, but it reminds me of the closeness and love I've felt in my small church.
At 10 a.m., my mom played the piano for the last time at the church she attended since she was a teenager. "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound..." Olivia helped her play today and my dear niece's smile, jibberish and laughter made the morning so much easier.
For 22 years, I have been blessed more than words can describe. Small churches are full of blessings, lessons and love. Brother Jimmy is such an inspiration to me and I know his new church will be blessed just as much as I was by his words. He and I shared so much, so saying "goodbye" to him was the hardest part. He calmed me as I was crying. "Lord, bless her...bless her," he said. How sweet the sound.
I left with peace and excitement about the new season in our family's lives. Olivia will get to experience so much as she grows up by being active in a new church. And I know, this new chapter happened for a wonderful reason. I'm very excited to see why.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (KJV)
2 comments:
Courtney, what a lovely post. I know exactly how you were feeling today. I felt the same way when we felt the need to leave Bethel when Brad was little. We needed to move to a church that had more children his age and we felt the time was right for us to move on. But it wasn't easy. Small churches truly are a blessing. I hope you find a new church where you will be happy. Tell your Mom hello for me.
Thank you so much. It was a tough decision, but a peaceful one. I've learned so much in that small church and I know it will stay with me as I move to another church. I will tell Mom you said hi!
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