I've mentioned on and off that since moving here to the south we've had quite the time finding a church home that we could feel comfotable in.  After staying the first 8 months or so in one church we  finally decided to move on; way past what should have been the expiration date. 

Since then we've hit quite a few churches hoping to find sanctuary; a place where we could find a sense of belonging but also a place where we could be utilized.  

For the most part we've been discouraged and/or frustrated.  The place we've been looking for would be a bible believing, spirit filled, loving and compassionate church filled with like minded believers.  This church would be one of unity and joy.  The  church we were looking for would recognize a Holy God and the fact that we are not.  This church would teach the Word of God as it should be taught and reach out to the needy and poor in spirit. 

Once, we almost settled thinking this is the best we can do with what we've got but then not too long after found ourselves yet on the road again due to some pretty bad theology from the pulpit.  Most of the churches we attended were just dead not knowing they were lifeless.  Usually you can tell by the way they sing; or the way they greet you or basically that they don't greet you at all.  Sometimes I think it's just a chance to get dressed up and out of the house and a place to go before they go out to eat. 

We're not alone down here.  This seems to be the consenus although there are plenty of churches down here.  Many are going church hopping like us or simply just not going at all. 

Then something happened last Sunday that brought us to what we believe might just be the home we've been looking for after all, and it was under our nose the whole time. 

I've already mentioned this one little country redneck church that reminds me of Little House on the Praire.  It has a cemetery all fenced in and ajoining the little white church.  Inside it probably seats no more than 80 souls at once.  We stumbled upon this church last fall just about the time they were to ask a new preacher to take them on.   We stayed for about six weeks at that time helping them until their preacher could come on board fulltime.  After that, although sad to leave, we thought it best since the church was too small for us to be of much help with the new preacher coming and all. 

So on occasion we'd show up to visit and each time were more than welcomed warmly.  You'd think we were movie stars coming from the big city the way they carried on with huge hugs and warm handshakes. Sometimes I'd get hugs from the same person at least two or three times before I left the building.   Each visit  left  us with smiles on our faces as we commented on how sweet this little church was. 

Last Sunday we decided to go back for a visit after being away for quite a while.  Still in the parking lot walking towards the church we were greeted by the deacon on the church steps ahead with a "well would you look who's here" type of greeting and a warm hug to go with his huge smile.  Then inside the same treatment was given to us by many we have begun to recognize noting also that the church has grown under this new preacher with many new faces to greet as well. 

The preacher greeted us warmly from the pulpit announcing us as if there would be any that didn't take notice already.   This church is so tiny inside you can't help but bump your way around as you meet and greet everyone.

But that's not what impressed me. While their friendliness is unmatched in this neck of the woods, they had more than that.   I began to feel that same sweet spirit I always feel when I'm in that little church building.  God is here and here in a big way. 

The service began and the preacher preached.  Those in the pew were animated.  They talked back to him at the appropriate times.  There was laughter.  There was friendly banter between the preacher and those listening closely to what he was saying.  There were enough AMENS to last a week and there was JOY in that place. 

His sermon was on unity and joy as we looked at only one verse.  Philippians 2:1.  He did an awesome exposition of scripture putting God in his rightful place and us in ours.  It was a very good sermon and I took good notes. 

But that wasn't it either.  There was more.  Behind me, to my left was what I thought at first a young girl.  I first noticed her while we were standing and singing hymns.   At first I thought she was young until I glanced at her again later.  During the singing of the hymns I heard her voice.  It was pure, crystal clear, steady and just beautiful.  I couldn't help but to glance back more than once.  She was singing with her eyes tightly closed and no hymnal.  These were not easy hymns that we all instantly recognize either.  She knew them and sang them with perfection with an almost childlike quality to her voice from  deep inside her heart. 

When I finally got sense of the situation, I could see that she was small in stature but not as young as I thought.  And her eyes were not just closed tight; she was blind.  She was later led out of the church clinging to another's hand. 

Wow!  What joy she had.  It was evident.   As the preacher preached, and the laughter filled the place, her laughter could be compared to a young child with that deep infectious giggle that makes us all smile.  Sometimes she got the joke from the pulpit before we did as we would first hear her laughter before our own. 

During the greeting time a young teenager came to shake our hands.  He always, for some reason, makes his way over to us.  He's quiet and big in a rugged type of way, sort of like a gentle giant type of kid.  He strikes me as the type of kid who might get teased at school.  He's not showy, brash or cool like other young guys his age.  But he's always got a smile for us and a friendly handshake although he never says anything.

Then there's the old man of the church who I gather is well respected and is considered, from what I understand, as the scholar of the church.  The very first week we visited this church we were amazed at how the scriptures flowed out of his mouth effortlessly from memory without a stumble or hesitation and in a very humble sort of way.  He's old, bent over with some sort of paralysis in his back or shoulders and a gnarled but very firm handshake.   When you shake his hand he looks straight into your eyes and you feel as if you're staring into the eyes of God.  I'm not kidding. 

We get in the car after this service and I say to my husband, "why don't we make this church family our home for right now?  We always leave here feeling like we found home and always have good things to say about this little church."  He instantly agreed and so we've decided to stay put.  They don't know yet.  We haven't told anyone about our decision. 

Suddenly it hit me.  This was a church full of rejects.  We've been going to churches all along that are filled with people who are full of themselves.  The pride, the religiousity, the coldness or just aloofness are all evidence that something is lacking.  While they are going thru the motions of church business, they haven't realized that it's not about them.  It's about God.  Only God can give a blind girl joy that comes from within like that.  Only God can look at me like that thru the eyes of a surrended old man. 

I think about Christ who was rejected, scorned, and eventually killed as were many followers then and since.  They didn't fit in.  I think about those whom the Lord has used over the years to bring forth his gospel.  Not many were lovely, accepted or what we would have chosen had it been our decision.  Certainly we would have picked the cream of the crop, the beautiful, the lovely, and the articulate to shed the light of the gospel to a darkened world. 

Christ was a reject but even so he was loved by His Father with a love that cannot be fully comprehended on this side of eternity.  The closest we can come is the love a mother has for her newborn child.  Even so the love God has for us can't even compare to that because His love is so much greater.   We too can experience that everlasting love and joy that can only come from God if only we would be willing to be considered rejects by the world.   It's a great price that many are not willing to pay.     

It's ok for the ship to be in the sea but it's not ok for the sea to be in the ship.   It's ok for the believer to be in the world, but it's not ok for the world to be in the believer.   To be a reject, means to leave the world and its baggage behind just like the woman  at the well left her waterpot behind to run into town to tell others about a man who looked directly into her eyes and forever changed her heart.   

"For you see your calling brethren how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.  But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty."  1 Cor 1:26-27