Chapter 1: Unlearning Our Fears

So back to "The Better Story". Yesterday was our last Sunday at Grace Community Church of Westminster. It was pretty anti-climatic...we had already said good-bye to our Care Group, attended two fun birthday parties over the weekend with the families we are closest to, and honestly didn't make a big deal out of it. In fact, I'm pretty sure 75% of the church didn't even know it was our last day and that same 75% will never even know we left. Still, our decision to leave has been the hardest, and easiest, decision we've made in a while.

We've known that there has been something missing in our church experience for some time. We felt very loved and served by our dear friends....but had no opportunity to serve others in a meaningful way that we were passionate about. Still, we kept going because we were too afraid to start over somewhere else. My friend Jamie likened it to when a couple knows full well that they are not right for each other, even though on paper they should be perfectly compatible. Yet, they stay in a relationship for years because they don't want to be alone and they're too afraid that there is no one else in the world for them. It's totally dysfunctional.

A few weeks ago, we decided to pray that God would just show us where we were supposed to be...and a week later He did. It wasn't like there was a bolt of lightening or a neon sign, but when we looked at the church website and saw the various ways in which they serve the inner-city community they reside in, we just knew we had to attend this church. Even before we heard the pastor speak or went to a service, we just knew.

Once we did go to a service (which was awesome!), and went to some of their Easter outreaches, it just confirmed everything. Several of Mark's students live in the same neighborhood as the church (which is about 10 minutes from our house and 5 minutes from his school) and so by serving at this church, we can show Jesus to them in ways that are not possible in the public school system. Plus, this church is very diverse and coming from a church that is 99% white...it was like a breath of fresh air.

However, there was still the fear of not making friends. The Lord, however, is so much bigger than the little box we sometimes try to contain Him in. Our first Sunday we met a family that has kids the same ages as Ethan and Brooklyn and they invited us to their home for dinner that night. Afterward we felt like we had known them for years. We also went to our first Life Group last night...it was fantastic. Again, it did not feel like a meeting with strangers...but with lifelong friends we just happened to meet.

We are slowly learning how to "unlearn" our fears. It is so freeing to do what you know you should be doing. It sounds so simple, but can be so hard for Mark and I. We can't wait to share with you Chapter 2...once it gets written!