She stood across the road
Making sure no one saw
Her. They didn’t seem
To notice her. They were
Greeting one another as
They climbed the stairs
And went through the
Open doors.
It was a beautiful day
Sunny and comfortable
She was wearing a new
outfit. The one she bought
A week ago. She got her hair
Done yesterday.
It had been
Five years since she set foot
Into the church she had been
A member of from childhood.
Her heart was pounding heavily
And her stomach was in knots.
To say that she was in a state
Of qualm was a gross understate-
Ment. What on earth was she
Doing here? She should turn around
And get away from there as fast as
She could.
What kind of reception
Would she get? She had been a
Member with good standing until
She got pregnant…She had to give up
Her involvement in the ministries she
Was in charge of and rather than be
The topic of discussion at the business
Meeting so she chose to give up her
Membership. She left the church and
Had her son. Her heart melted as she
Thought of the little boy who had
Brought so much joy into her life.
She never planned to have a child
Before marriage but it just happened.
And unfortunately, things didn’t work
Out for Ryan’s Dad and her. They split
Up a year after Ryan was born.
Now she was a single mother raising a
Rambunctious 4 year old and loving
Every moment of it. He was with her
Mother who had encouraged her
To go church today. “You walk in there
and remember that you are not alone.”
As she stood there now, debating whether
Or not to cross the road and step into
The sanctuary, these words came
To her mind, “But thou, O Lord, art a shield
For me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine
Head.”
She felt the uneasiness
Subside and God’s peace come over her.
She quickly ran her hands over her hair,
Smoothed her coat and crossed the road.
She hesitated for a brief moment at the
Doorway and then walked in.
Nervously, she approached the two greeters.
When they saw her, they looked
Surprised and delighted…
“Jennifer, it’s really good to see you.”
They both hugged her and as one
Of them handed her a bulletin, she
Said, “we are having a special lunch
For visitors today so you’re more than
Welcome to stay.”
She smiled. “Thanks.” She wasn’t ready
to socialize with them just yet. She was
going to take this one step at a time.
Source: Psalm 3:3
Notes to Women 