Dear Faith Baptist Church Congregation,
In the recent days and weeks, a recurring theme has come up in my life. Through many conversations with people about who my friends are and what I do during the week other than work, I have found that many people think we are insane. They don’t think we’re crazy because of our beliefs, because I guess they expect that of a Southern Baptist Church. No, instead they cannot believe that so many people are able to be open with each other and be comfortable doing so. A few people have expressed to me that, in all of their church experience, families keep to themselves, as do their family secrets, and that you only see everyone that goes to your church once a week in the worship service. Now, I’m sure that there is some of that happening at our church as well. However, in my experience, it has been quite the opposite. Many of you have gone out on a limb to share parts of your stories that you are not proud of in order to show me that I am not alone. That is bravery.
All of you extended arms of welcome when I returned, no questions asked except those concerning my health and safety. Words cannot describe all that that meant to me. In the last six months, you have banded together to become prayer warriors, examples, mentors, and friends for me. Most of you do not understand the weight that was lifted off of my shoulders when I realized that you were not there to condemn me and push me down, but rather to work together to pull me back up. Never before have I personally witnessed what prayer can do until my mother called in the prayer warriors to bring me home. Never before did I think I could get out of the pit I had thrown myself in until God had each one of you extend a hand down to help pull me out. Never before did I know what it is like to be so fully accepted and valued after making such monumental mistakes.
You truly have taught me the love and grace of Christ through your actions and words of encouragement. Each of you followed God’s lead in teaching me how to accept His forgiveness, learn how to forgive myself, and helped me move past my past and strive for the future God has in store for me. Having you all in my corner gave me the support I needed and allowed me to heal much faster than if I had tried to do it all alone.
The rest of the world may feel that many church families are incapable of love, grace, and true understanding. But I can honestly say that our church is not one of those. This isn’t a speech to build us up and make us stand out among others, but rather an attempt for me to show my gratitude to each of you for following God’s commands daily, and to encourage us, as a body, to continue doing the same for others. “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” Thank you, church family, for not leaving me behind or forgetting me.
Love,
Member, FBC