Some college students were excited to go home for winter break because they missed their families. Some were excited that they would finally get the chance to binge watch that show on Netflix. Others couldn’t wait to reunite with good friends from high school. And still others just wanted to go home to see their dog.
Although I definitely could relate to all those, there was one big reason I couldn’t wait to go home and that reason was my church. I couldn’t wait to be back at my home church in Grand Rapids. I especially couldn’t wait to be reunited with everyone on our worship team. These are the people that have become like a second family to me, and I missed them dearly. I was scheduled on the worship team every weekend of winter break and I was so excited!
So it’s Christmas Eve and I’m in the bathroom before the first service is going to start. I’m looking in the mirror making sure my hairs are all in the right place and that my makeup looks okay. This woman comes up next to me and looks at me, then looks at me again. I can tell she recognizes me from singing on stage. I turn and smile at her and say “hello”. She smiles and says, “You know I just have to say this to you. It has been such a joy to watch you grow up on that stage. I remember when you were younger and just started singing up there. You’ve grown so much since then, and I just wanted to thank you for your years of service to this team.” I smiled and said, “It’s been my pleasure, thanks for saying all that.” I walked away from that short conversation with a huge beaming smile on my face and just had to let out a small laugh to myself. I laughed because that woman (and everyone else at my church) will never understand the incredible impact she and others have had on me. She thanked me for my service to the church, but honestly the thanks are all due to her and the rest of the congregation. Because I could never put into words all that they’ve done for me.
When I was a young girl, my parents got divorced, and in the years that followed, I struggled with the idea of home. I knew that home wasn’t necessarily a place but a feeling. However, I didn’t feel at home anywhere. But when I joined the worship team and got involved in my church, everything changed. I felt like I belonged. I felt like I had a purpose. I was wanted. They taught me that what makes you desirable isn’t perfection but rather the parts of you that are far from perfect. They showed me that community is made when we lift others up before we lift ourselves up. And they helped me realize my identity was first and foremost found in Christ.
Thank you, Cornerstone Church. You have impacted me more than you’ll ever know. I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it. Yes, I’ve spent many hours in service on the worship team. But it’s the least I could do. I offered you a few songs. But you offered me the love of Christ and showed me what a home truly is.