Yesterday we went to the very last service at my inlaws’ church. They have been a part of that church for 35 years. I don’t mean that they have just attended the services every Sunday. They were very involved. My mother-in-law was the director of the preschool. She was the pianist for the choir. My sister-in-law was the director of the choir. They were on the church council. Every year, they helped to plan a weekend family retreat that my children and my nieces and nephew would attend. That church was a big part of their lives. A huge part of their lives.
My MIL and FIL irritate me sometimes. I think that is normal. But they are good people. I don’t know what I would have done without my MIL when my Dad was sick and after he died. My Mom had her own grief to deal with and, being the oldest, I didn’t feel like there was anyone for me to turn to with my grief and my MIL was there for me in ways I could never have dreamed of prior to that time.
It was a very sad service. It’s hard to celebrate the birth of Christ when you are mourning a loss like that. I don’t believe that I have ever seen my MIL cry. Not even at some funerals that we have attended over the years together. She was very sad. Seeing her cry like that made me so sad. I wanted to comfort her as she had comforted me when I needed it. What do you say when someone loses something that has been so important to them for so long? I’m sorry?
I don’t know what they are going to do now. I don’t know how they will find a new church. I mean, when you lose a loved one, you don’t go out and replace them the next week. I think that you are kind of expected to with a church and I can’t imagine that happening. Their church wasn’t small, but it wasn’t large either and it was intimate. By that I mean that almost everyone knew everyone else. I know they won’t find a church that will ever be the same. I hope they can find one that is comfortable at least. One that they can “belong” to. My heart is heavy for them today and I am sure it will be in the weeks to come.
(I’ll be back with more acidity tomorrow. This is just what is on my mind today.)
Oh, and Happy New Year! Be safe tonight.
Unfortunately, that is happening more and more in my area. But don’t be so sad for MIL and FIL. I was forced to get a new church when I moved and I was very pleasantly surprised. There is a different vibe in my new church and it is a very open and loving congregation. I ENJOY going to church. I hope the In-laws get lucky that way too!
As you know, the church is the people, not the building.
But, the people still need the meeting place. I hope they find their way soon to a new church home.
It sounds like they have much to share with their new church family when they find it. Someone out there needs them and they will be lead to the right group.
This is happening a lot in our area – I hope your in-laws find a new church home when they are ready and they will…. it may take a while – but they will find a new fit.
Church families are difficult dynamics and leaving a group they have been active with for so many years is going to be very hard on them. Hopefully most of the members will gravitate to the same new church and they will maintain the relationships they already have established. I hope they find another group where your in-laws can continue being an important part of a community.
It sounds as if your MIL has a great deal to offer a new church and while it will not be the same as her previous church…maybe she can go on to keep having a positive influence with her work in the church. I am sure they are heartbroken. It is very sad to think that something like a church that you always think will be there suddenly has closed.