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When you live your life in a church it can make your heart ache. You get up one day and someone is gone. Never said good bye. Then you wonder. You can't help but wonder. Why would someone, who has been there with you suddenly disappear without so much as a good bye? I figure there are a lot of reasons people leave. Some come and say good bye and explain why. Sometimes that hurts too but at least you know. Sometimes people move away, sometimes they move on because it's right, it's sad when they go but it doesn't hurt. It hurts when you don't know.
Then I look around and see that I'm not alone, not everyone has left, really it's just a few. I had a 12 year old give me perspective today. We were selling tickets for a church event and only sold 12 tickets. She said to me "if only 12 people come, then we will minister to 12 people"
"Yes" I said "that is exactly what we will do."
That 12 year old understands and she reminded me.
When you live your life in a church you learn to let people go. You have to. No matter who goes there are always people who stay.
The ones who stay are why I still live in the church.
This is the church building where my heart lives.
I will not loose heart.
Christmas card for 2009
6 hours ago
7 comments:
Thank you God for 12 year olds with unclouded thoughts! It is hard when people leave who are part of your life! But, on the other side, you never know who God will bring in!
Hey, that is where my heart lives too! I love you mom.
Part of our heart is there too. Even 3 years later, we have not found a church that feels as real and as at home as Lambs.
Reading your post, I kind of wonder with no ounce of offense meant whatsoever...just have to ask...
If you love those who were once in your church but leave...why do you have to let them go? Can't you still love them outside of your building because "the church is not a building," right? So, your heart doesn't really need to ache if they are just somewhere else but still in the church...or maybe I mean, why does your relationship have to stay within the confines of a building and end there?
Oh Marty, how I love you and your sweet heart. It is difficult.
Ali, I think Marty is talking, not about those people who just move onto a new church, but the people who, by their exit, are actually trying to leave the church AND the relationships. Buz and I have had our moves and we have experienced both. Sometimes, people just change churches and with that, the relationship usually survives and grows. Sometimes, people want to leave YOU and those intentions are made known over time. THAT is the one that brings the pain.
Marty, I love your heart! If you need some more "12" in your life, feel free to come to flourish! :)
Aww, Marty, my heart grieves with yours. Thank you for sharing your feelings so poignantly. Our home will always be with our family, wherever you are, wherever we are.
And Sue, I love you too, ever the optimist! I will miss you both over the next few weeks. But we always know we can come home to your open arms.
Much love,
Jervaun
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