Pastor Kim,

Thank you for your open heart, your open doors.

It’s sometimes hard to to go back after a time away. What will they think? What will they say? How will it feel? Am I wearing the right clothes? Should I bring my Bible? Is it the right Bible for this church? What if I’m late? What if I’m too early? Will I be judged? Questioned? Or welcomed?

What if?

I could have stayed home. I could have gone to a different church. I could have fretted and procrastinated and decided to wait another week, another month, another year.

As I unzipped the cover on my Bible, I saw some flyers from the church. From 2009. It’s been nearly five years. More shame. I don’t deserve to go back after so long, I thought.

But God nudged me. And I heeded the call. And drove to Dagsboro. To Dagsboro Church of God.

And I was welcomed with smiles, with handshakes, with a few hugs. Welcomed. Home. Returned.

I’m still feeling a little broken. A little afraid. A little unworthy. But more than those feelings, I feel a wonderful release. So much resistance, now set free. The dam burst. I am awash in the grace of God, of Jesus, of praise and love and community, and… home.

Thank you, Pastor.

I very much appreciate you and your church.

Steve