It's amazing to look back at where the Lord has lead us and is still leading us. I think it's the only reason I even attempt this whole blogging whatnot.
This time last year Jeff had accepted a position at the block plant where he had worked since he was a kid when his dad owned it. It was a great opportunity to slowly move up the ladder to a great paying position. About a week after he accepted that position, the opportunity out in Tyler came up. It was a similar position, but with more than double the starting pay, so we prayed and decided we couldn't pass it up. I wrote about it on this blog in fact, in this entry: The Move Is On. Well now, after a year of bliss here in Tyler (we've been so incredibly spoiled... more on that to come), Jeff has been offered the same position at the block plant, but with the same salary he's making at the Tyler job. So.... he got the job he wanted all along, for the pay we need. How cool is that?!
Today the Lord led me to Psalm 27. The entire psalm is about the Lord protecting us during hard times or when our enemies are attacking us. Verses 4-6:
The one thing I ask of the LORD— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, delighting in the LORD's perfections and meditating in his Temple. For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock. Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the LORD with music.
I believe with all my heart that the Lord moved us out of Weatherford precisely to get us away from the whole church fiasco my parents and sisters had to go through. It was so crushing to my dad, I wouldn't be surprised if he never goes back to church again.
"He will place me out of reach on a high rock." I feel like Jeff and the kids and I have been on a "high rock" for the past year, watching the devastation all around us. When we moved to Tyler, we accidentally picked a house that was in the best elementary district in the city. Out of 18 schools, we accidentally picked the best. When we moved, Jeff and I were so burnt out from working too much with the church that we made a conscious decision not to sign up for ANYTHING for at least a year, and we haven't! The Lord led us to the church where he wanted us and that wasn't going to push us into service. It's such a great feeling on Sunday mornings knowing I don't have to work in the nursery! I know that sounds so trivial, but it's been such a huge part of my life for almost 20 years. Did I mention that we've had a house keeper and lawn service!
Anyway, has someone been a tad bit spoiled? Yes. We've been so totally blessed, which is why I'm ok with moving back. I know that even when we're under attack from the enemy, we're totally and utterly protected. What an amazing way to live...
In thinking about your dads situation. Even if he never goes to church again, he will be fine. Life is a series of lessons. One thing I will never understand is how a church can push out a good person, and still consider the church a Christian place. It seems to defy all that a church should be/do.
ReplyDeleteA similar situation happened to my mother. She was told she was not allowed to go to mass (she was Catholic) because she divorced my father. It didn't matter to the church that she had been beaten and battered, bones broken, awakened with a gun in her face too many times to count......none of that mattered. At the time, if you divorced you were not allowed to participate in mass. Disgusting.
It will be great to be with your family again, and having you near will greatly help your family's healing.
I agree completely! It's those type of Christians who give the rest of us a horrible reputation. I go to church because I know I need those relationships to survive life! And because I love to worship and learn about God. I'm so sorry about your mom's situation, and for every woman who has been through similar. The church is supposed to be a place where everyone and anyone, no matter what circumastances, can come together to help eachother and worship God. That's all. Not argue, not fight, and certainly not kick people out, ever. It's nuts. My dad is definitely better off w/o that church, and the only reason I hope he goes somewhere soon is that he needs relationships. He works in construction and it's not like he's getting good advice from his co workers! haha. Thanks for your perspective, ma'am!! :)
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