My trip "home"

Last week Brad & I traveled to our home church, Richpond Baptist Church, in KY. I walk through the doors and almost immediately I feel "home". Funny how that happens. Its been a few years since we actually came and sat in on a service. This one was special because our children had a part in leading worship that night, but even as the event was a happy one I found myself getting a little sad. WHY? Because there really is no place like home, and I miss it. I don't think I realized just how much until that night. I miss our pastor, Steve and the way he usually tears up when talking about Jesus. I miss his wife, Lisa who is such a sweet, multifaceted lady of enormous talent. It really is true that behind every good man, stands a better woman! Sorry Steve. I miss the people we grew close to, I miss the youth group we taught, as many of them are now grown and getting married or have children. Talk about feeling old, geesh. However, as sweet as those things are, what I miss most are the memories attached to that place. I'm sitting there wishing my kids could grow up within the walls of this church because it really is such an amazing family of faith. I remember sitting in Steve's office crying my eyes out because my marriage was in ruin. I remember Steve coming with Brad to my apt. at midnight to pray for us. I remember the first womens class I taught (thanks for the push, Shirley Meador, I miss you too), I remember days spent on June's front porch sipping tea and talking about life, love, loss, hurt, Jesus. Let's see....Baylee's baby dedication, Brad's licensing as a minister, pouring my heart out on the alter broken to pieces over my own addictions. Easter pageants, Christmas pageants, choir performances, I could go on and on. Why is "home" so important? Because that is where we begin life. For me, Richpond, is the place God showed up in my life, picked my sorry self up out of the mud, and began to shape and mold me into a different person. He is still shaping me and sometimes the way he does it is dreadfully painful. I learned to trust him in that house of worship, lead by some amazing people. It was good to be reminded of that last week. It was good to remember, and it was so good to be home!