Thankful Thursday & The Wrap Up of Revival Week

As children, regular church attendance was not part our lives for my brother and me. That's not to say that my family was not faith-based or that we did not have God in our hearts, our home or conversations in our own way. We simply did not attend church on a regular basis and the reasons are really moot.

My husband, however, comes from a long line of church-goers, believers and deacons. He even had a grandparent that was a pastor well into his 80's. Church was an integral part of Michael's life and, along with his parents, should be credited for the man Michael is today.

Regardless of my lack of attendance and knowledge, I have always had God in my heart and in my thoughts - along with a list of questions far too great to ever expect to have answered. My husband knew this when we were married and he did his best to help me understand an area of my life that was so cloudy. While living in the DC/Metro area, we attempted to attend a church in Franconia, VA. It was "okay" and we made a few acquaintances but neither of us came bounding out of bed Sunday morning with great anticipation. Even as ignorant as I was, I knew that was not the feeling one should have. Eventually, that weekly trip ended.

When we knew, decided and accepted to move to North Carolina, one of the first things my DH said to me was "this is so great - we'll be able to find a small, comfortable, country church for sure". Whenever anyone asks me what brought me to North Carolina I start by saying it was my husband's job. But it didn't take me long to learn that it was God who brought me here, not an employer. You see, 14 months after we moved here, Michael lost his job. HOWEVER, within that 14 months we did find a comfortable country church and I found my salvation. I believe with everything I have in me that I was led here for the purpose of securing everlasting life in eternity. And it was during Revival Week in August 2003 when it happened.

So, my little country church and the Revival Week it hosts every year in August holds a VERY special place in my heart. And every Sunday morning I wake up with an anticipation that I've never had before. I look forward to putting on a pretty skirt and some tasteful lipstick and making my way the 4 miles down the road because I know there's something awesome waiting for me there. And there are people there that care about what's going on in my life. They ask faithfully about my DH because he can't attend on a regular basis due to his work schedule. They pray for Michael's safety everyday he goes to work. They prayed their hearts out when I was unemployed. They pray for my safe travels in this new position. And they pray for my mother and father when they're on the road. I never knew or had a church family as a child but I have a strong one today.

I still have a list of questions too numerous to ever have completely answered (at least in this earthly life) but slowly and surely I am gathering a clearer understanding and I'm definitely experiencing a closer walk...

As we wrapped up our Revival Week last night I drove home thinking how immeasurably grateful I am and how amazing He is and that eventually all the peaks and valleys in our lives do make sense. Leaving the DC area for central North Carolina was a culture shock in the purest sense. But this is where I needed to be in order to be quiet and listen so that I could make the connection He knew I was looking for. And at this time in my life I don't want to be anywhere else in the world.

Thank you Jesus...

My little church in the country...