Sunday morning during worship, I noticed that several long distance members were back for the week-end; from places as far flung as Florida, Arizona, and Nevada. Their ages range from twenty-something to sixty-something. They were all beaming with joy. They were all surrounded by old friends who miss them and love them. They all made it a point to find me and express their joy at being back. And I could only think: there is something amazing and wonderful about this church family!
I understand that all churches are "friendly" and it's not so uncommon for any church to have former members return for a visit. The difference here is that most Providence families never become "former" members- they stay in touch, they read the e-letter religiously, they care about what's going on, and they never stop missing Providence! Many of them wish they could return if only jobs and other circumstances would allow!
Friday, my wife and I joined three other couples to drive to to Richmond to visit a family who became long-time members over a year ago. Another family who moved away 5 years ago drove up from Williamsburg to meet us. We talked and laughed for hours. When things at church came up, the two families who live far away and attend other churches could talk intelligently with us because they still keep up with goings on at Providence. When it was time to go, there were tears.
Most churches refer to themselves as "family." But for large numbers of Christians, there are friends, and then there are "church friends." Church friends are nice people you greet in passing a couple of times a week. Real friends are an integral part of your life. And even when they move away, the sense of "family" remains. Friends are the people you could call at 3 AM with a problem. "Church friends" might just check Caller ID and not answer.
One of our new members passed along a thank you note on Sunday after several Providence folks helped move her family out of an unsafe public facility and into their own place last Thursday. Her letter said "You all have taught me what a church family really is...!" She's bringing homemade desserts next Sunday for her new friends.
Don't ever take true friendship for granted. Many churches and many people have little or no idea what that really is. Here at Providence, it's in the air and the water. You don't have to try very hard. The love rubs off on you. There's something supernatural about all this. And for this I thank the Lord God Almighty.
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