Chronicles of a Church Girl

Hi guys, welcome here. How do you do? 

Today, I'm talking about something that occupies the right ventricle of my heart; the church of God. 

I love the gathering of believers. It's not something that can be taken away from me. I'm always on the lookout for camp meetings, retreats, concerts, conferences, and what have you. Anywhere the word of God is preached soundly, that's my favorite hangout. 

Not because I don't know of other events, but it's more difficult to carry my body there. I'm learning to network outside the church now. But no matter the events I attend, the church does it the most for me when we talk about permitting friendships. 

Most of the solid friendships I have today began in the churches I've attended. Even my husband had to be in the church I was attending at the time we met for me to even see him.😆😆

It's that serious. One of my friends told me one time that I wouldn't have met him if I wasn't a church girl, cos there's nowhere else I go frequently. Hello, homebody! And she was very right. 

I was born into a Christian family, and I've attended different churches from birth to date. From Family Worship Center to Mountain Of Fire, Catholic, RCCG, Living Faith, etc. The church I attended was influenced by my parents or aunties (whom I spent some holidays with growing up.) 

However, I began to pay close attention to the kind of church I attend in 2015 thereabout. I had just finished secondary school and went to stay with my aunt of blessed memory in Ibadan. Loved the church, joined the workforce, and was in the choir department. 

And then I began to feel like something was missing at some point. I wanted more. Wasn't sure what that more was at the time, but I knew I wanted more from church. So I decided I was going to attend a different kind of church when I gained admission to the university. 

The season came and off to uni I went. Attended this church on my first Sunday on campus and the service was great. But I knew that wasn't where God wanted me to serve. We had the conversation about my uni days. I was sure I was going to serve in campus fellowship, and He wanted me in a certain church and that wasn't it. 

The follow-up was great. I had to tell the person that followed me up that I was going to another church, 'cos that's not where God wanted me. She understood and the Saturday before the next Sunday, some people came to evangelize in my hostel. I was excited. it sounded like what I wanted. I went to the church and knew almost instantly that that's where God was talking about. 

I spent all four years on campus in that fellowship, received the gift of speaking in tongues at one of our prayer retreats, got baptized by immersion at one of our programs, and served in different capacities, as well as launched my first book there. 

You couldn't convince me that I wasn't in the right place in that season. Lol. I knew like I knew my name. Made amazing friends there and like I said before, met my husband there 😉 

 

Fast forward to graduation and I was at home for a few months before I went for NYSC and I had that same feeling again.  The feeling of knowing there was more to what I was getting in the new church I was attending.  I spoke to a friend about the dissatisfaction I felt one day after service, to be sure I wasn't being carnal. And she said: "you're looking for RCF here". Light bulb moment, mehn. 

But wait, why does no one talk about the emotional side of leaving a church? Abi is it only me that feels these things? 

Anyways, I understood the feeling and left to another church, which wasn't all I wanted, but I was gonna make do with it pending when I go for service. I decided to carefully select a church to attend during my service year. Prayed about it and God answered. 

I served in Benin, Edo state. Started attending a church, but it wasn't the church I prayed for. Then a friend of mine who I met in camp invited me to a meeting in her church and bam! That was my answered prayer. 

Worshiped there till the end of the service year. I learned a lot like I obtained a master's degree in spirituals and I was livid with joy. Learned to pray for longer hours, raise the bar of my generosity game, and a lot more. Learned, unlearned, and relearned a whole lot. 

Then the service year ended, and I had to leave the city again. I was getting married shortly after service and so I had begun to worry-pray about the new church I'll be attending. Spoke to my sister and friend (the one that invited me to this church) 'cos they knew how important it is for me to be in a church I need and like.

God answered that prayer like He always does. He blew my mind with this one and a few days ago I was gisting with that same friend and telling her how much I love my new church and she was so happy for me. 

Like, I really love it here mehn. It's all I prayed for and wayyyyyyyyyyy more. 

When hubby and I decided to settle in this city, the next question was what church we'll attend. I wanted a certain church, he said God led him here. Toh, I had to submit. 

He kept saying I'll like the church and all of that, but I kept my fingers crossed. 

Then I made a mental note to draft a curriculum for my spiritual growth if I don't get what I want here. I even said I won't join the workforce until much later in life😂 and he knew better than to try to talk me into it. 

Fast forward to today and I'm in love.  

Love that we pray a lot in tongues… 

Love that the word is 💯, (the most important litmus test for me, by the way)...

Love that we're all young people on fire for God… 

Love that there's a sound structure for discipleship and growth… 

Love that it is my kind of church. 

And a bonus point, love that we get really dope pictures during and after service. 

This is such a big deal for me because when I move to a new place, the top two prayers I pray are that I meet and connect with the right people, and find a church that will help my spiritual growth. 

Very important. I don't joke with these two things. In all the places I've had to move to, I've prayed this prayer and seen God come through. From school to service, and now marriage location 😉

So yes, I've been meeting amazing people here, and like the point of this post, I've been enjoying my new church. 

I've thanked hubby severally for hearing right about this decision. Joined the workforce on the second Sunday. No time to waste time again. Was waiting for my husband to be done with a departmental meeting when I heard God legit ask me what more I was waiting for. I just repented. 

He was surprised that I changed my mind so fast. On our way home that day he asked me what happened.

Love happened. I fell in love, that's it. Spoke to one of my friends some days ago and she was so happy for me. My mum too. 

I strongly believe that there's a church for everyone. Finding your kind of church and settling in there is how you maximize the church experience. Because really,  church should be experienced. 

Dear reader, I hope you're attending a church that you love. I hope it's also pivotal to your spiritual growth. If yes, cheers. If not, please plug yourself into a local assembly like God wants you to. 

not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh.

Hebrews 10:25 ASV

Today is Sunday. 

I hope you went to church.

I hope you prayed for your life.

I hope you listened well to the word.

And I hope you fellowshipped with the brethren.

Happy Sunday, my people 💛💛

Love and Light 

Nancita✨