Let the Healing Begin...

If you have been a regular reader of my blog you know that the past 4 years, especially the last 2, have been full of trials, hard times, questioning and just plain not fun. You know some of the hurt we've been through with our previous ministry, the longing to do God's will, the relief of being released from that ministry and then the long time of waiting the last year and a 1/2 has been. You know the sorrows we've had and the joys we've been given as well. You know it's not been an easy time and you know we have needed to heal, a lot.

When we left our place of ministry we were hurting. We had been wounded by "family," brothers and sisters in Christ. Hurt in ministry is so hard to take. It gets you to the core of who you are and touches you in ways few things can. It's hard to get back into ministry after being burned like we were. Sadly, many folks do not. We knew that the initial healing would begin as soon as we left. We were able to "stop the bleeding" and let a "scab" form. (side note: Not trying to be gross, but I feel this is a very apt way to describe what we've been through). The scab was there, preventing further bleeding, but we knew the wound was still there, ready to come open at the slightest touch. A band-aid was not going to hold forever. We knew we needed to leave the area we were living to be able to fully heal. Liken it to soaking and lancing the disease out of a wound. We had to get to a healthier environment so our wounds could heal.

We made the decision to leave Hillsdale, MI and move to Columbus. You know why. We left not having a place of our own to live, no jobs, no health insurance, yet we knew we were to leave. Dear reader, can I tell you, the healing has begun. We're not just keeping a band-aid in place now. We're healing, deep, thorough healing. The lancing and soaking has started and our wounds are closing up and healing. We have been in our new (temporary) home now for over a week. We still don't know the answers to the above questions, but both my husband and I have said numerous times we feel such peace. I can't quite explain it, other than it's the Peace which passes all understanding. We are happier, more joyful, not on edge, the tension has left our marriage and family, the dog is even doing better! We know beyond doubt that we made the right decision, the necessary decision.

This past Sunday we went to church. To be honest we have not been going to church regularly for the past 1 1/2 years. It was hard to attend one of the churches in our area because we would get questioned about why we had left, etc. And, we were hurting. In any case, we have both yearned to be part of a healthy, vibrant, relevant-to-our-community church. We attended a church which is literally 2 minutes from our house. I'm not kidding when I say the moment we walked in we were greeted and helped by kind people. Nothing was expected of us, we didn't have to explain ourselves. We were just welcomed and made to feel like special guests. Though that was wonderful, the thing that really got me was the worship service and sermon. So full of the Holy Spirit. It was overwhelming at times. I felt the Spirit washing over me. and I could see the same was happening to my husband. All I could think during the entire service was "let the healing begin." Let the healing begin!!!!!!!!!!! Let's start cleaning out those wounds and be healed by the Great Physician!

We are so excited to get back to this church on Sunday. They have a lot happening and we are excited to see how God uses us to serve him in this church. The healing has begun, and I am a willing recipient. Praise the Lord for his healing touch.