The Same Two Words | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: The Same Two Words | Previous Challenge Entry
By Kellie Henningsen
08/25/11
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Two words. That’s it? Could she not conjure up a little more? My weekly moms’ group turned therapy sessions had stalemated. While I poured out my soul, I always received the same advice in return. Two measly words.

This week was no different. Wendy popped a couple almonds in her mouth and sat back to listen to my latest diatribe on church hunting. When I finished, she gave me her weekly wisdom, “Trust God.” Ugh. She made it sound simple but for me, the answer was a bit more muddled. Trudging my offspring to one church after another was growing old.

The first church we tried screamed wealth on the outside and the inside continued the look beautifully. Flat screen TV’s lined the foyer, plush carpeting covered the floors, and fancy furniture decorated the rooms. And there were people. Lots and lots of people. Too many people to be exact. After a few months of being lost in the crowd, we had to move on.

I gave Wendy my update and she simply smiled and said, “Trust God.” I thought it only wise to remind her my husband was laid up due to a back injury leaving me on my own with this task. But it didn’t matter; she munched her almonds and held to her advice.

The next week I filed my three children into the next church on the list. The music leader looked like he just fell out of a dumpster, the screens in front of the sanctuary were two stories high, and there were little ladies waving banners to the rhythm of the music. The usher seated us in the very front where we nervously assessed the situation. When people started dancing in the aisles, my son leaned forward and nodded his head ever so subtly. Another church bit the dust.

Next moms’ club, Wendy held her ground. “Trust God. It’s going to be alright.” The almonds close at hand.

Realizing not attending church was not an option; I pressed forward. Next on the list was a church located in a hotel. The ear plugs handed out on the way in sent the first red flag waving. Music blared like a rock concert, strobe lighting streamed over the crowd, and the pastor came out in beat up jeans. The sermon hit me right where it mattered though and I thought I could overlook a few flags. However, too many soon flew and I had to check yet another church off the list.

I flopped in a chair and looked at Wendy, tears in my eyes. “Will we ever find a new home?” I lamented.

She passed the almonds and said…you guessed it, “Trust God.”

Exhausted from our travels, I decided to take a week off from toting my kids around. After all, my youngest now asked where the welcome bags were at each new church and my cupboard was burgeoning with a new stack of mugs.

The following week, the search continued. The outcome proved dismal. The almonds were eaten and the same comment made.

A new acquaintance suggested the next church. This must be it! The timing was perfect. Surely God was moving. I showed up, filed my children in, and prepared to be blessed. The service dragged well into the second hour while the pastor mopped his brow with paper towels supplied by his wife. The longer he preached, the more towels she passed. I wasn’t sure if he was going to make it and my kids weren’t sure if they were either. We dashed out of yet another house of worship.

“Wendy, it’s been seven months. I’m tired. My kids are tired. I don’t know if I can do this anymore.”

“Trust God,” she said. “Almond?” I snatched the bag and chucked the remainder in my mouth. Chewing uncomfortably, I stormed out of the room.

Next on the list was a little church in a far off town. Knowing options were quickly fading, we set out once again. When we stepped inside, a sense of peace made its unexpected appearance creeping up through my feet. When the music started, it crept higher. And when the pastor preached, I knew I was home.

The next week armed with a bag of almonds, I walked up to Wendy and tossed them on the table.

“Thanks!” she reached for the bag with a curious expression on her face.

“No, thank you.”

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