something to be said about the word HOME

seek & you shall find...

so we sought and successfully found a place to call our HOME church.  mt. olive umc.  located not in our home town, not necessarily near or for that matter too far from anything and comprised of many people from many communities and from many walks of life.

we were looking for a place of worship.  we were looking for friendly faces.  we were looking for others who would also love us, our children.  we were looking for some where to grow.  we were looking for somewhere to take root.  we found it.

we had some welcome us personally.  there were some who invited us back.  there were some it took quite a while to meet & get to know.  and there are some who are only slightly familiar.  there were personal invites to events.  there is a great children's program, mission oppertunities, community involvement, meals hosted, camps, camping...etc. 

we had a desire to grow in our faith.  to grow deeper in love with our God.  we had a desire to belong.  we were hungry for Gods word and we sought it.  we were fed.

however there were times we were not fed.  times we were hungry and longing for more.  we heard many times about the MORE elsewhere.  and many friends/ "family" left in search of more and found it.  i assume as they've yet to return.  we on the other hand took the spoon by the hand and began to feed ourselves.

sometimes, in the beginning especially, it's necessary to be fed.  but as we grow that need becomes one that can be taken on by ones self.  (to an extent)

i think part of this relationship we have with God also has a lot to do with the relationship with have with the rest of His body...the Church.  and in this instance, in your own church.

as with any relationship, the relationship with your church can be ever changing.  new people, new pastors, new procedures, a change in service style, music style, different translations utilized in the message and ....perhaps a sermon received from the seat of a DIFFERENT PEW!(humor)  change happens.  as Christians we should know this and also know that GOD is in control. 

i've not always been 100% happy with my church family or  100% satisfied with my church.  i've at times found myself feeling as though i'd stalled.  and then i shut up, pause, and listen and look at exactly where i am.  physically and spiritually. 

i am 100% about one thing...God planted me at mt. olive umc for a reason.  He knows what it is.  He has brought people into my life and the lives of my loved ones for a reason.  i may not always feel "full" or "fed" after a sunday morning service but that does NOT mean i go hungry.  i want more and more is available right within those walls.  more is available outside those walls also but for me, nothing beats a "home cooked meal surrounded by family". 

sometimes the meal comes in the form of a youth sunday school lesson, youth group, small group, bible study, praise & worship.  sometimes it's served up in the conversation with a sister/brother over coffee & a doughnut.  sometimes it's a side dish of service.

like i tell my kids sometimes...."if you were hungry, then why didn't you eat?  we had all kinds of food in the kitchen!  why did you wait for me to feed you?"  i wonder how many times a pastor asks that question.  "if you were hungry....why did you wait?"   like my kids who become frustrated and all bent out of shape because they're hungry and want fed many Christians become the same way.  and frankly early on in ones faith i get it...the NEED to be fed, but as a baby learns to feed their self we as Christians growing in our faith need to feed ourselves too.  for some this has meant a change in location.  for me this has meant a change in outlook. 

i've been planted.  i've taken root.  i've found a home.  we've found a home.  it's ever changing.  it's been better, it's been worse.  it's been bigger and it's been smaller.  faces have come and gone.  but like home it's doors are always open.  it has my interest at heart.

i love my church.  i miss some family.  i'm excited about all God has in store for us!