Home Again

I left my church when I left Handy Man because he decided to continue going there. Of course that meant I left my ministry as well. I was involved in the start of the campus - setting up and tearing down the nursery in the movie theater we occupied. I enjoyed the people who worked with me; their faithfulness, dedication and joy in serving Christ was inspiring. Leaving them was difficult. I did a lot of crying and praying, and finally determined that it was only for a season and I could attend the other campus with Workout Woman and my sister and her family. It is a mega-church and it was easy to go in and out without anyone knowing my story. Handy Man told me that all of my friends at the little campus" knew what I had done" and since he accused me of seeing another man, I could only assume he spread the lie that I had an affair. He even told me that he had talked to the pastor about my (supposed) sins. I was mortified that he was being so deceitful and dramatic in church.

A few weeks ago one woman from the local campus sent me a Facebook invitation to her birthday breakfast. I thought perhaps she had clicked my name by accident, so I just came right out and asked her if she really wanted me to come. She did, and I got to tell her my side of the story. What a relief!  Anna is bold and loud and forthright. She seeks God's will and loves strongly and will defend anyone she loves. When I walked into the birthday breakfast I was welcomed enthusiastically with warm hugs from four of the women. It took everything I had not to cry with joy and relief. They let me know that Handy Man has disappeared. None of them have seen him at any of the services. Since then I have gone to a lasagna dinner served by one of the women, served beside the ladies in our yearly Food Drop, and attended a service at my home campus. At each event I was greeted with smiles and welcoming comments. Last night I went to the nursery and told the leader that I am back! Put me on the volunteer list. I get to care for babies again and my heart is full of joy. Wednesday is the first night of the Acts bible study. Cannot wait!