Saturday, February 12, 2011, Day 28

                                                                            A WONDERFUL LIFE

As a child my sisters, neighbor kids and I would ride the “bus” to a neighborhood church.  We were never treated as members, just “bus kids” as were called.  We would always try to fit in but never really did.  When I was 18, I made the decision to stop going altogether.  In my mind all church people were stuck-up snobs who thought they were better than me.

In 1985 I was married to a man who was forced to attend church as a child.  We decided that our children would never have a bad experience at church; we would never make them go.  As the years went by my family and friends would invite us but we always had an excuse.  For a while we attended a mega-church, yet again we were just another filled seat, no one at all even knew us by name.

This brings us to 2008.  My life-long friend and I decided we needed more in life and started “church hopping.”
Week 1 – way too much moving and yelling during service
Week 2 – walked in, sat down, good sermon, not one person spoke a word to us
Week 3 – same thing, different church – getting discouraged!
Week 4 – a few hellos but not such a great message
Week 5 – not sure what to do so I suggested we surprise my friend who had been asking me for 20 years to come with her.

From the moment we walked in the door of Heritage Church of God, we were greeted with a warm welcome, “We’re glad you’re here, let me know if you have any questions.”  Before church we were amazed at how people talked to each other and genuinely cared about each other.  They seemed to be really happy to be together.  We thought the sermon was awesome!  After church…more hellos and we hope you come back.  On the way out Pastor Fry and Terry introduced themselves and made me feel even more welcome.  I had never before experienced anything like that.

The next Sunday we decided to return and we felt more welcome than ever.  Larry sat in front of us and we had a great conversation before church.  Once again, lots of people introduced themselves.  That’s when we decided we had found our new church home. 

My husband saw such dramatic changes in me that he started attending with me once in a while, usually while intoxicated.  I was so afraid someone would say something to him.  Boy was I wrong… the opposite happened.  He was welcomed with open arms and made lots of friends.  One Sunday after another moving message and an invitation to come forward, he grabbed my hand and said, “Will you come with me?”  Our life has never been the same.  He stopped drinking completely and loves worshipping, fellowshipping, and volunteering as much as I do.

We have been blessed so much since we put God first in our lives.  I can’t imagine life without our Heritage family.  It truly is a wonderful life!

Robin Kipplen
Children’s Ministries