Feb 05, 2013 Grace Has Served As A Shelter…
I have never in my entire life seen or heard of a congregation that walks with its wounded as the people at Grace do. I have to thank the leadership for the fine example on how to do this. The examples of grace overwhelm me. I have no way to summarize the care, encouragement and refreshment the people of Grace are to me. Yes, the preaching is wonderful. The music is a blessing as well. I love the children’s program too. I’ve learned a lot in classes and at women’s gatherings. All of this is truly appreciated and important to me. I can say that the uniqueness of the people at Grace was noted from the very beginning and in all the aspects of Grace that I have encountered.
The last eight years have been years of comfort, instruction, growth and challenge. But I needed somewhere to go with the pain – the pain that wouldn’t go away, the pain that I couldn’t hide during the nice music or the wonderful sermon, or even the lobby for that matter. The last few years at Grace have served as a shelter, and it is because of the people. In times of great need, God has brought me people who walked right into the pain with me, sometimes even calling my bluff as they did. I was continually reminded by their presence that God could still see me. This was, and is, a great comfort. I wish I could tell all the moments I’ve survived on in the last few years right here. I will say that, with pain this severe, every form of refreshment is appreciated, every call, every prayer, every discretion, every smile, everything. And I am so thankful to God and His people for giving these things to me.
Grace is the kind of place where pain is allowed the time and gentleness to heal properly. I am so thankful for the safety of this congregation as I work to hold on to the promises of God. I am so thankful for the people of Grace who remind me of His promises and extend to me the hope of being a woman defined by His promises and not by this or any other pain. I grew up in church and I have never seen anything like this. I am so thankful for Grace Community Church and the refreshing worship and fellowship it provides.
– Emily Hudson