DAY 17: "No Regrets" by Linda Simmons

DAY SEVENTEEN: “No Regrets” by Linda Simmons

In reading the stories on this blog, it seems we all have much in common. It also seems we all have one common goal – to serve God with all our hearts and to make a difference in the world around us. I grew up in a denomination very big on that list of what you CAN NOT do as a Christian, so much so it took all the joy out of “being” a Christian.

I had heard people say how they had been hurt by a church, which was beyond my imagination. I would think to myself, this was someone just looking for any excuse not to participate in the church. But when it happens to you, it is as if your whole Christian experience has tumbled in on top of you. You question if anything you knew was right or if have you been out in left field all the time.

When we (Sammy and I) experienced this kind of hurt we knew we should not quit going to church. But where were we supposed to go? For several weeks we visited some of the places we knew. Within minutes of entering some of the churches, we knew “this was not the place”. Other churches went on that “maybe” list. Then one Saturday we pulled up in the West Main Shopping Center parking lot to buy some outdoor flower pots for our deck and we were directly facing The Church at Trace Crossing. We had seen the small signs for this church occasionally and had commented on them. We originally had no intentions of looking for the church that belonged to those signs.

That Saturday evening, as had become our weekly ritual, we had to decide where to attend church on Sunday. I told Sammy, “Let’s try that Trace Crossing church we saw today.” Truthfully, I came that first Sunday - Father’s Day 2007 - with no expectations of this being our home church. I will always remember that day. Kevin Wood came to the front to give his sermon and announced he had a message planned, but felt moved to change what he was to preach. Sammy and I looked at each other. One of the things we were searching for was someone who would not only be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, but able to put his thoughts aside to deliver what he felt was the message for that service and that group of people. What a breath of fresh air. You could feel and see his enthusiasm for this church group. It did not take us long to decide this is where we felt God had lead us to be and serve.

Since that first Sunday, we have met people we feel honored to be able to call friends. There are "no regrets" having made this decision.

My Prayer for Trace Crossing:
Heavenly Father, help all of us at this church to keep our focus on You. Without your Spirit drawing, no one can come to the Father. Keep us humble and willing to do whatever your Spirit leads us to do. Help us to be where the hurting can come and be made whole again, through your Spirit.