After my first husband passed away it was difficult to go to church alone. But I had learned in a grief group that I was not just a widow but always a child of God. He had been with me in the past and would be with me in the future. It was a comfort to sing that out with others who believed that too.
Like Meribeth, I find comfort after the loss of my spouse, in gathering with others on Sunday. Thanks for a good word Doug...I BBC (build beloved communities) as therapy for me :)
Thanks for this reminder of the importance of how the habit of going to church invites us to connection and community, Doug.
Over time, for me, the habit had frayed and I thought I was done with church. Recently the craving for community left me bereft and brave enough to go back. Here is a piece I wrote last year that was accepted by Red Tent Living on Word Press.
During the strict lockdowns in California, I remember my husband telling me that at our first possible opportunity, he wanted to go to a music festival. So, in September 2021, we headed to Life is Beautiful in Vegas after securing our children with my mother for the weekend. My husband and I walked around the festival, and I remember seeing all the smiling faces, but something was "off." Something about the people downright scared me. I was witnessing what I believe was a symptom of mental illness due to the isolation. My first reaction was to say, "We're taking the kids back to church." I've never been one to consider demonic forces or the "boogie man," but I did that weekend, and afterward. So, I went to different churches, but I gave up, because the pastors just weren't presenting a message that felt relevant to life. I recently found a church that I like, but now I want an integrated teen program for my children to take part in. So, I'm still searching for the right fit. I wish you were still at First Presbyterian near Las Olas. I enjoy your substance, and I love the idea of a chat bench 😁.
After my first husband passed away it was difficult to go to church alone. But I had learned in a grief group that I was not just a widow but always a child of God. He had been with me in the past and would be with me in the future. It was a comfort to sing that out with others who believed that too.
Like Meribeth, I find comfort after the loss of my spouse, in gathering with others on Sunday. Thanks for a good word Doug...I BBC (build beloved communities) as therapy for me :)
Thanks for this reminder of the importance of how the habit of going to church invites us to connection and community, Doug.
Over time, for me, the habit had frayed and I thought I was done with church. Recently the craving for community left me bereft and brave enough to go back. Here is a piece I wrote last year that was accepted by Red Tent Living on Word Press.
https://redtentliving.com/2023/10/05/never-say-never/
During the strict lockdowns in California, I remember my husband telling me that at our first possible opportunity, he wanted to go to a music festival. So, in September 2021, we headed to Life is Beautiful in Vegas after securing our children with my mother for the weekend. My husband and I walked around the festival, and I remember seeing all the smiling faces, but something was "off." Something about the people downright scared me. I was witnessing what I believe was a symptom of mental illness due to the isolation. My first reaction was to say, "We're taking the kids back to church." I've never been one to consider demonic forces or the "boogie man," but I did that weekend, and afterward. So, I went to different churches, but I gave up, because the pastors just weren't presenting a message that felt relevant to life. I recently found a church that I like, but now I want an integrated teen program for my children to take part in. So, I'm still searching for the right fit. I wish you were still at First Presbyterian near Las Olas. I enjoy your substance, and I love the idea of a chat bench 😁.