Our Church

Today at church our pastor mentioned two interesting statistics. The first was, 7 out of 10 Canadians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave. I must say I was a bit shocked that the number was even that high. The second statistic was that only 2 out 10 Canadians regularly attend church. That number simply saddened me. It got me thinking about my journey to our amazing church.

Once I accepted Jesus into my life and opened my Bible I became more and more convicted that, once I was discharged from the psych ward, we needed to find a church that we could commit to and grow with. So I began praying. I asked our Heavenly Father to guide me to the church that He knew was best for our family. I prayed for a church that supported families and welcomed children and that it would be a  “healthy church”. I put “healthy church” in quotes because I had no idea what that meant or why I was praying for it – it was simply put onto my lips. So there I was waiting and listening for God to show me the way to the church He had planned for me.

A few days later I was talking with my nurse, a nurse that was only assigned to me twice during twelve-weeks of hospitalization, and I just happened to mention that I was looking for a family-friendly church. She began to tell me that she was attending a church close to my home that had a wonderful children’s program. So, I tucked that information into the back of my mind and kept my heart open to other possibilities (in our community there is pretty much a church on every corner!). But nothing else was really coming forth. On the Sunday after I was discharged, my husband and I were debating between two churches – the one mentioned by the nurse and another that a friend attended. We decided to try the nurse’s recommendation.

Now I will say that for new-believers walking into a new church is an incredibly scary and overwhelming process. You feel as if you are wearing a giant “N” around your neck. You feel like everyone around you knows everything and you know nothing. You feel completely and utterly out of place. However, the moment I walked through the door of our church I was filled with such an incredible sense of peace – I instantly felt at home – I was where God wanted me.

We were greeted by one of the children’s pastors whose love for Jesus shines so brightly. She helped make all four of us feel so comfortable. When we walked into the sanctuary seeing that the two back rows were reserved for “families with young children”, I further relaxed – at least they recognized that my kids probably were going to fidget and squirm, which helped lower my anxiety. When the worship team began singing, each song was one I had repeatedly heard on the radio station (the only radio station) I could get while I was in the hospital. During the break between worship and the sermon our children went into their Sunday school classes like fish to water and we got to enjoy a free specialty drink from the coffee bar (something so simple, but honestly when you know no one, waiting for a coffee makes you feel a little less lost). Then the sermon began and the series was titled “The Emotionally Healthy Christian”. When I heard that title my jaw literally dropped! God, without a doubt, wanted me in this church. And finally when we picked the kids up from Sunday school our daughter looked at me and said, “This church actually taught me about Jesus!” well that sealed the deal – we had found our home church in just one Sunday.

Now it took a process until we felt completely relaxed and at home. But with time and God’s love and grace we have become completely relaxed. We have moved from the back row to the third row, center. Our kids know the routine and the expectations and are respectful during the worship time. We have been blessed with so many friends that my heart overflows with love.  My son and I know exactly where we will be on a Tuesday morning – Mom and Me playgroup. Receiving an e-mail to RSVP for Parent’s-Night-Off – a free evening of childcare – is always exciting and appreciated. I love supporting our Women’s Ministry, which brings all generations of women together to support and learn from each other. Over the past two years we have been part of two different home small-groups that have allowed us to grow as Christians. I love each sermon, and yes I eagerly take notes, loving and drinking up everything I learn about God, His love and His plans.  

God without a doubt answered my prayer quickly and faithfully because He wants me to be in fellowship with other believers. I need others to help me grow in my faith. Though we are individuals, we still belong to one another. So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:5).

God blessed me by opening my eyes, ears and heart to our church. He blessed me by not letting my anxiety stop me from entering our church He blessed me by turning off all the excuses the world gives us for why church just won’t work for our busy lives. Yes I am blessed that I am one of the 2 in 10 Canadians that attends church.