One of the first visits we made in our search was to a church I was familiar with. I know many people there and just felt comfortable stepping foot in the door.

Or so I thought…

I am an extremely extroverted personality. I say “Fake it or Make it” and that usually works even if I am nervous. But, there is just something about the holy spirit that will NOT let you do that! I was nervous with a knot in my stomach, until I saw that first familiar face…then I was a little relieved!

As I mentioned, I know several ladies at the church, so I messaged a friend (Nicole) and asked for times, details, small group classes, etc. We get there, smiling faces, warm welcomes, it was so nice! We didn’t have the boys this weekend so it was just Andon with us. We walk to the classroom to drop him off, he does great! OK, one bullet dodged!

We then try to find our class. Well, we ran into Angela (another friend) and she took us to her class, not realizing it wasn’t the class we had intended to attend (which was Nicole’s class). It was great anyway! Everyone was kind of around our age.

I thoroughly enjoyed the lesson. It was about loving your neighbor. Not just loving them and that’s it. But, loving them and wanting the BEST for them. What? I was fine with the whole love thy neighbor talk but now you want me to think well thoughts for them too?? Conviction – I’ll admit it!

Throughout each visit, I know we will learn something. Something that God wants to reveal to us in just the right time. This take away was about love. I know about agape love, of course. I’ve heard many sermons on agape love, but hearing it in the context of not just loving but wanting the best made me see it in a different light. But, that made me realize that I need to show agape love to even those that I’m not too keen on having a love feast with KWIM? I’m just being honest here!!!

Anyhoo, the service was different since it was a graduation (as in Senior graduates) sermon led by the Youth Pastor. We are definitely going to go back and visit again so the boys can experience the classes. Being around familiar faces did make it feel welcoming – but then again, the Holy Spirit made us feel welcome too!!

On to loving more…and to the next church…