Church family

I've just read Keith's blog from Sunday. A little insight to the family Mike and I worship with. A couple of Sundays ago I went forward for prayer. I had been in a deep depression since Mom died and didn't realize it until Greg called one day and we talked. I thought I was handling things well, with the usual occasional bouts of tears and heavy heart. After our talk, I realized I wasn't handling thing at all. I had been treating Mike, my children and grandchildren with little to no patience and generally acting horribly. I had been "going to church" because that was what was expected of me and not because I really wanted to be there. I got nothing out of being there because of my mind set.

After my talk w/Greg, I realized how bad things had gotten. I asked our preacher to pray for me and forgive the way I had neglected our church family. He asked me to talk to the congregation. Basically, I told them the above and that only the closest to me had any idea the pain I was feeling. There is one RN that we worship with that I have known for many years and she knew something was wrong. After I spoke and asked their forgiveness and continued prayers, just about every woman and quiet a few men gathered around me to pray. One of the deacons said "We'll take you, being a booger and all," (I had mentioned what a booger I had been).

I was later told by a member that a couple had made a decision to place membership with this church family from witnessing this gathering of family around me to share my burden. They said they had been looking for over a year for a congregation that really showed they cared for one another and for a congregation where when someone had a problem that person wasn't afraid to get up and share it.

I think this is what many are looking for today, and many of the "churches" are realizing they need to get back to caring for one another and those outside the body of Christ if there is truly going to be a difference made in this world.