by Kay Dills
For as long as I can remember I knew that there was a God. I also knew that God sent his son Jesus who suffered and died in order that those who believed would have everlasting life. I was a believer. My faith in my Lord Jesus Christ has never changed; however, I have.
At 12 years of age I was baptized in the Presbyterian Church. It wasn’t until I was 18 that I left the Presbyterian Church and was baptized (again) and joined the Baptist church. Then the college years began.
It was during those years that I did not attend church. Don’t get me wrong; my belief in Jesus Christ did not change. My daddy and I had many discussions on my not attending church. My answer was always the same: “I can worship on a mountain top or while lying on the beach. I don’t need a church to worship.” His response was also the same. “This is true. But you do need the church and the church needs you.” I wasn’t exactly sure what that meant. I continued my life without the church but not without God.
I lost both of my parents and my oldest brother at the age of 25 but I knew one day I would see them again. I would never forget my Daddy’s words but it was still years before I would attend church on a regular bases.
My daughter was born in 1983 and I knew it was time to go back to church. I wanted her to have the same foundation I had as a child. I joined the Methodist Church in December 1983 on the same day she was baptized. For 10 years I was very active in the church, especially in United Methodist Women. Then life hit very hard. I was involved in a very messy divorce and custody battle, which would last for six years. Again I left the church not to return until June of 2018. For years I prayed and read my Bible. I pushed the Lord to resolve my issues. Unfortunately it was on His time not mine. This was a concept that I did not understand.
As time passed, I moved back home to Gastonia. In June 2016 the Lord brought the man I had loved all my life back into my life. After 43 years, I knew God had not forsaken me. We were married in November 2017. We both knew why we were together and who brought us back. We also knew we needed to be in church somewhere. On July 8, 2018 we paid a visit to Ranlo Baptist Church and both our lives changed.
From the moment I walked through the doors of Ranlo Baptist Church, I knew I had found where I was suppose to be. I did not know a single person but when I left I knew I had found not only a church but also a family. I will never forget the smiling faces and the warm welcome we received. When I shook hands with Bud Hughes, I knew I had met a true man of God. On October 14, 2018 we became members of Ranlo Baptist Church. Once we made the decision to join the church we knew both of our lives would change. Being a church member is much more than showing up on Sunday at 11:00 AM. We knew that our names on a membership role were not enough. We both felt that God had called us to this church for a reason. We joined a Sunday school class, my husband joined the choir and I started to get to know other church members. I was much slower to open up than my husband. I was shy and did not know how to talk to people, but the good Lord wasn’t through with me. On Wednesday night during choir practice I sat in the back with Bud Hughes and Maxine Haskett. They taught me the names of every member of the church. On one occasion during December, I looked at Maxine and asked: “Who is Lottie Moon?” She laughed and said: “I can tell you were not a Baptist”. It was at that moment I knew that although I was not brought up in the Baptist Church I was a child of God and was accepted for who I am.
I began to come out of my shell and found myself walking up to complete strangers and introducing myself and welcoming them to Ranlo Baptist church. I wanted them to feel what I had felt on my first Sunday. Since that time I began helping in the kitchen, writing devotionals and serving on the Finance Committee. I know I have become a part of something far bigger than myself. I know now that I do need the church much more than I ever knew. My Daddy’s words ring clear in my heart: “You need the church and the church needs you.”
Psalm 100:2
Serve the Lord with gladness!
Thank you Lord for bringing me full circle. Help me to show others what it means to be called a Christian. Amen