I’ve been going to church since as long as I can remember. The very first dream I have in memory was actually at a church. It has always been a big part of my life, and it is something that I hope continues to be. My first memory of church was from Mexico, when my grandmother would take me on Saturdays. I still vaguely remember how happy I felt to be there, I felt like I belonged, it felt almost like home.
When my mother was bringing us into the United States, she made a promise to God that if he got us here safely- her, my sister, and me, that she would look for a church as soon as we settled down. We did get here safely, and she did keep her promise. I remember the first time I attended a church here in the U.S. Because of my Grandmother’s influence of going to church on Saturdays, we looked for a church that would congregate on that day. We found a Seventh-Day Adventist church near our apartment, in the yellow pages. I remember coming into that church and noticing the back of it. The back of the church had a beautiful stained glass window. While the sun hit it, all the colors came alive, it made me feel happy and safe. Every time I see a church with a stained-glass window like it, it takes me back to when I first stepped into that church as a small child; the colors always captivating my attention. Seeing a stained glass window brings a sense of familiarity, the sense of being found.
After a while, my father started becoming upset because of the time we were spending at church, and my mother was discouraged. Now, when the family who would usually pick us up for church would come and knock on our door early Saturday morning, my father would not let me answer it. Many weeks passed and those people wouldn’t give up on us. Shortly after, we moved into another apartment. My father, busy trying to escape those church people didn’t come to realize that God had bigger plans for him and our family. While moving into our new home, an old couple came out of the apartment next door and greeted us. Their names were Lupe and Juan. They were wonderful people, so sweet. They reminded me of my grandparents, I was so happy to have them as next door neighbors. A few days later, we came to find out that they were also Seventh-Day Adventists. This time, there wouldn’t be anywhere to hide, at least not for the next 14 months of our lease.
Even though my dad couldn’t hide from this couple, he became good at making excuses for the family. In the end, to distract Lupe and Juan from inviting my parents to church, they made me go with them on my own. My mother would wake me up early on Saturday morning and dress me in my best clothes. I was happy to go, but I didn’t like going to church by myself. I wanted my whole family to feel what I felt, especially my dad. I never really understood why he was so stubborn, and why it was so hard for him to realize that God was running after him and our family.
Sometime after my mother got pregnant, with my sister Karina. During that time, Lupe and Juan became determined to convince my dad, that going to church would be the best for our family. My father finally surrendered and told them that after Karina’s birth, our whole family would start going to church. Meanwhile, my parents received bible studies and when Karina was born, my parents, along with one of my uncles got baptized. It was the beginning of a new life, and our family changed.
I’m not saying that being in church made us into a perfect family, no. There were many ups and downs, so many difficulties our family would face ahead, but that’ll be a story for another time. Sometimes we are so busy running, running from the good things God is trying to bless us with, or just running from God in general. We become busy making excuses, and we get stuck in our own stubbornness, yet God doesn’t like to give up on us. Where would I be hadn’t he not come running after me?
As a child, God used a beautiful stained glass window to get my attention. He provided a way that made me feel happy and safe being where I was. It gave me a sense of security and warmth. It’s been almost twenty years since then and it has been full of countless blessings. Many people may not understand why going to church is so important to me, but it’s part of my life now, of my future. I’m happy and thankful that God led me to where I needed to go, where I needed to be. I’m especially thankful for all the people he put in my path, for the ones who didn’t stop pushing. God cared enough to follow my family and me, to take us where we belonged. He didn’t care how far he had to go, and he would do the same for anyone else, there are no limits to reaching each of us. Sometimes all we have to do, is stop running.
Sincerely,
Heidi
God has perfect timing; never early, never late. -Unknown