My Church

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A bit of historal Kathy fact:

I've been attending church all my life. Catholic church when I was young was all about sitting still for one whole hour so I could get an ice cream afterward. Once on my own I rebelled and stayed as far away from church as possible. Then something amazing happened that I will never forget. I may have written about it before. God saved my life. Litterally, saved my life. By telling me go home another way I avoided being involved in a bicycle vs car accident. I was 24 years old and pregnant with Megan. I started my investigation about this almighty God that so many people seemed to love. I remember going to a Nazarene church and noticing that most people looked like they really wanted to be there. They laughed and sang. This is not how Catholic service goes. I wanted to praise God that way but it felt fake. I didn't really know him yet. How could I sing with that much feeling? How do I get there?
It took time. God worked on me with each little situation. I could compare my journey to the process that happens when your eyes become adjusted to the darkness.
You know how when you first walk into a dark room you can't see anything? But slowly more and more things come into view. Eventually you can see everyting...even people who are entering with that same limited vision of which you once entered with.
It's like that with God.
Little by little I started noticing him. He was and has been doing things all around me. Sometimes it feels like he isn't there, but then something occurs to make me just go "wow" and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is a God and he is big!
I'm not always eliquent with my words...but you get the idea.

Now I've learned that not all churches are created equal. I've heard people say, i'm not getting fed spiritually at this church. What the crap does that mean? Church is about coming together to worship and learning God's word. All the other stuff is gravy. Do you not know that your own spiritual growth begins with your own effort? You're not a baby! You can feed yourself can't you? God has the best tasting food, but for heavens sake pick up your own fork and put it in your mouth man!!

I wasn't sure I'd like a big church, but there is something amazing about a several hundred people all singing and praising God in the same room. Also my pastor makes me laugh. He makes sense of the Bible and relates to our daily lives. He takes it literally and challenges me to become a devoted follower. I used to doubt that I had the ability to do that, but I don't anymore. It's not that hard. In fact, it's so easy.

one of my favorite songs to sing in church says this...

I am free to run
I am free to dance
I am free to live for you
I am free
I am free