It Feels Good To Feel Good Again
Today I had the blessing of making another friend, Laura, who visited Pine Valley United Methodist Church with her husband, son, and daughter. Last July, they moved from Cary, during the pandemic, to Wilmington. Everything was online, so there was no sense of community, church, or place for them to plug into. For three years, they had had a hard time finding a church that was Bible-based or that was not a megachurch. She said this was a good time to lean on the Lord and teach her children to do the same. Being a hugger, this pandemic has felt like a drought for her. She is ready to hug again. God brought blessings from this tough time, such as she will never take church for granted again, and she hopes families stay slow in their schedules. Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Last December, they found PVUMC online and immediately loved listening to Pastor Tim. The first thing that made them try PVUMC was because Pastor Tim is naturally hilarious. He does not have to try. His stories are relatable, and he is “just so real.” Her husband loves Pastor Tim because he is so intellectual, and that is important to him. Her 13-year-old son chooses to listen to Pastor Tim instead of going to Sunday School. Their family always learns something that they can discuss on the way home. She said they all walk away thinking. She loves Pastor Kim’s prayers.
Pastor Chris has been very engaging, giving them different avenues to take, such as Sunday school, youth, etc. Getting connected has been difficult for her son. They attended the youth picnic recently, and two young men and their parents came and introduced themselves. The next week at football practice, her son saw one of the young men, and he said hello to her son. That was a turning point for him. Thanks to that young man making a difference for a visitor! 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” Young people can definitely be an example to us! 1 Timothy 4:12, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” Because of that, her son is open to going to youth group in the fall. Laura has felt her place is teaching middle school Sunday school.
Laura said it had been a long time since she felt at home in a church. Before they moved to Cary, they went to a small church that they loved, and PVUMC has a small church feel. She is amazed that Pastor Tim recognizes them every Sunday! She said Easter Sunday, she cried and knows that something is moving in that gym!
I explained that my blogs are “glory sightings” at PVUMC and asked her what her glory sighting was. She said there are a bunch of little things that have made her feel whole again. She said the Sunday after Easter was one of her favorite Easter sermons because of Pastor Tim’s excitement. She still thinks about him saying, “It may be Friday now, but Sunday’s coming!” Seeing her kids come to church without the bribes of doughnuts or lunch out has been amazing. Another glory sighting is always having a discussion on the sermon on the way home. Recently she saw a woman praising God with her arms raised and moving all around. She said even though she has not worshipped like that, she loved it. It was so genuine. People were greeting each other after not seeing each other for a while, and you knew there were lots of friendships here!
“It has been a long time since I was excited to go to church again.” She said she loved watching the service online but they love being IN church to feel the energy and electricity from the other people worshipping. She said, “There is a buzz in there!” Acts 2:2, “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.” I would say that is the power of the Holy Spirit! Welcome home, Laura! You do not have to go through life’s ups and downs on your own. We need each other in our church family. Romans 1:12, “...that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” Together, we form God’s church. Ephesians 2:21-22, “In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.”