A few weeks ago on a Thursday night I sat in the sanctuary of our church, alone, replaying many holy moments I’ve experienced there.
I cried tears of both gratitude and sadness at leaving.
I prayed, and wrote a note to the leaders who will have the privilege of serving here next.
I took my note up to John’s office where he was finishing up final paper work and we put our notes together with a baton on his desk. We prayed with thanksgiving for our time, and asked for wisdom, grace, and perseverance for the leader who will pick up the baton and run the next leg of this race with CPC.
And then we closed the door one last time.
We moved through the church to different places that were meaningful to us, praying in each for God’s continuing work.
We prayed in the spot where we had first brought our blond curly-headed tinies into church, and in the room where I’ve joyfully walked alongside young couples on their faith journey.
We remembered the places where we saw reconciliation happen between broken people, and laughed again about the llama that went into labor in the gym, and the time we had someone ride a motorcycle down the aisle for a children’s sermon.
We ended up back in the sanctuary and looked at where our friend served communion one last time as he was dying, and where our daughters were baptized, and where one walked down the aisle to be married. It’s where people far from God came to know of His crazy love for them and it’s where a creative staff person shot off fireworks to recreate Acts 2.
We were overwhelmed thinking of God’s great protection and guidance for us and our family, and before we left, we stood one last time facing the cross and sang Great is Thy Faithfulness.
It was holy. And yes, I cried the entire time.
Totally by God’s grace, we have finished this leg of the race. If you’re running a tough leg of your marathon, know that He sees you. He’s with you, and you’re being cheered for.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Hebrews 12:1-2
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Please keep writing. We love John and your perspective and zeal for the Lord. Many Blessings to you and John on the next leg of your journey. You have left a permanent mark on our family and community.
Thank you so much Patrick. The Lord uses all of us in spite of our weaknesses! 🙂
Thank you for sharing with us such a holy, intimate time of saying goodbye. How blessed you are to have closed this chapter so tenderly together, and we to have been a part of those years. You two have changed our lives forever, and we are thankful. Godspeed, John and Laura!
I debated whether to share, but there are so many discouraging stories out there… I pray this one ENcourages others that God is faithful through the ups and downs. We are never out of sight or too gone for His love.
What wonderful memories Laura.
We wish you well and hope you will continue to keep in touch.
With God’s speed in your travels🙏
Thank you so much, Fay. May God continue to guide you on your journey too!
The hard work of transition is enhanced by saying proper good-byes. It sounds like you have done that very well and meaningfully! God bless you both in the next chapter of your life! Exciting times and new adventures await! 🙂
Joanne
Thank you so much, Joanne! We had a good role model in the founding pastor – the only other pastor CPC has ever had. He was our biggest cheerleader and prayer warrior!
Thanks for sharing moments we have missed with you. You’ve obviously made a huge impact to those who attend your church. You will both always be dear to our hearts though we may not meet again until the Lord calls us home.
The journey has been challenging. The last mile may be hardest. Keep our eyes on the Lord.
Joan and David
So thankful for fellow race-runners like you who we love and cheer for even from afar. Press on, dear friend!