Sunday, July 19, 2009

Locked out


Last Sunday my son Nathan and I returned from the evening service to discover that the front door lock was broken. No, it wasn’t the result of a break-in; the lock had simply passed its expiration date. When I inserted the key, it kept spinning around and around in the lock. The irritating thing is that we’d seen signs of trouble for several days. Of course all the windows were securely locked and I didn’t have the key to the side door. Even the dog door had the safety cover on!

As I scurried around, trying to find a way to break in, wishing that I had a friend with a criminal background, Nathan followed and begged, “Mom, can’t we just go back to the church?”

“Maybe we should call Grandma and Grandpa,” I muttered. No, they lived across town. It would take a half hour for them to reach us. “Or Susan and Carl. I bet they’re home.”

“Why don’t we go to the church?” Nathan persisted. “It’s faster. Please! Hurry before everyone leaves.”

“You know what? You’re right.” I grabbed Nathan by the hand and headed down the street to our second home.

We got there in time to a friend. She tried everything from the old credit card trick to lifting out a window. Neither attempt worked so she called another friend who didn’t have much luck either. In the end we had to call a locksmith, which one of them was kind enough to cover the cost of.

It took two hours but we got back in.

“Nathan,” I said later as we settled down for bed. “You were right. We needed to go to the church. You know exactly where to go when we’re in trouble.”

Over this past year Nathan has seen our church family reach out to us in many ways as we dealt with one crisis (mostly medical) after another. He knows that they have helped us fix things around the house, enjoy special food during the holidays, and even pay bills. Their generosity made it possible for him to continue attending Christian School. One friend (who I kept a secret from him) even covered his swimming lessons this summer. I worried that all this would make him feel weird—like the poor kid. Instead it taught him that we have a second family that loves us. It taught him where to run for help.

I thanked God that my seven-year-old knew where to go before I did—that he wouldn’t let up. Our church home should be our refuge. Now I pray that he will always appreciate the love of other Christians, and that they will continually point him to Christ.

How has your church family been a refuge for you? Is it a place where you can run when you need help?

5 comments:

l said...

What a great story! Fellowship is so important. Glad you have a church family w/i walking distance. We do too- and I feel very blessed by that.

I enjoyed reading your blog, can't wait to read more...

Anonymous said...

just a quick word to congatulate you on your blog ...absolutely stunning ...a pleasure to the eyes...i ll be back..;)

Deb said...

I loved this! Simply beautiful. - Deb

Jeanette Hanscome said...

Thanks for your encouraging comments. Yes, having a church within walking diestance is great! I can't drive due to low vision so it feels like a gift.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the great giveaway! I would love to enter the book giveaway for my lovely daughter. She is not only a truly sweet girl but a good friend and student as well!
Micki
Zoe0825@verizon.net