- Jan 26, 2003
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Hi CF family - I'm a little emotionally raw now as I am currently still recovering from covid. But thought I would post this as it is troubling me.
For those of you who are familiar with my profile, I've been on CF since 2003 and this site has been the closest to what a community of believers should be. Whenever I have not been able to physically fellowship, my walk has grown on this site. In the UK, church attendance is on the decline but where I can I have over the years, tried to find fellowship as I felt it was important especially for my kids and moreso in light of Hebrews 10:25.
We are currently members of a local church and I had thought we'd found our church family. I give to the church, baked cakes for occasions etc. All while holding down a full time job and taking care of my own household as a single parent.
Last Friday I began to feel really unwell, by Saturday I was bedridden and when I tested for covid it immediately came back as positive. My first thought was to contact the prayer line and for prayer so the church knew that we had covid. A friend who I'd known before coming to this church text messaged me to see if I was ok. But that was it - to date nothing from any 'elders' from my church. By Sunday I hadn't improved and my adult daughter tests positive now. It was only my elementary school aged son who has been free from sickness. In order to feed my son we got by with takeout as I was bedridden.
This is what is upsetting for me - during this time I have not had a call or anything from church, yet each Sunday I'll hear of how other members who was convalescing would get calls or visits. Yet the only people who cared were two Muslim friends who have regularly touched base with me (my next door neighbour as she had not seen me for a while and a work colleague). The work colleague would ring me daily which culminated in her bringing over some cooked food. The neighbour volunteered to gather some shopping. My non believing Mum who is herself fragile, prepared food as I was too weak to eat and couldn't stand up for very long to cook for my son.
I thought as a church community we should be doing what three non Christians did for me or what I would do for someone in my situation. I feel so let down. I cried last night as I felt as though I'm not part of the 'in crowd' who would get the calls and the visits.
I apologise for coming out with this but I genuinely thought that if I had died earlier this week, the only thing they would miss would be my tithes and offerings, which I never forsake in giving.
Am I yet again in the wrong fellowship? There really are no other churches in my immediate area.
The world affairs point towards me definitely not keeping my two and myself at home again so not going to church isn't an option.
Do I 'smile and wave' once I'm well enough to return to fellowship? (I wonder if they would even notice)
Or is this something the Lord has used to show a distinct need for a ministry to look after single/divorced women/families? (after crying in prayer last night a thought came that the church needs to change)
How can I witness to my Muslim friends when the reality is no where close to what their community offers when someone is in need? I would hate to see someone won over to Christ and essentially forsake their community support to enter a Christian community who will not support them when they are in need.
Sorry for such a long post - would appreciate some wise counsel. Is it different in the US or the rest of the world? Do you guys have a more scripture based community of believers?
For those of you who are familiar with my profile, I've been on CF since 2003 and this site has been the closest to what a community of believers should be. Whenever I have not been able to physically fellowship, my walk has grown on this site. In the UK, church attendance is on the decline but where I can I have over the years, tried to find fellowship as I felt it was important especially for my kids and moreso in light of Hebrews 10:25.
We are currently members of a local church and I had thought we'd found our church family. I give to the church, baked cakes for occasions etc. All while holding down a full time job and taking care of my own household as a single parent.
Last Friday I began to feel really unwell, by Saturday I was bedridden and when I tested for covid it immediately came back as positive. My first thought was to contact the prayer line and for prayer so the church knew that we had covid. A friend who I'd known before coming to this church text messaged me to see if I was ok. But that was it - to date nothing from any 'elders' from my church. By Sunday I hadn't improved and my adult daughter tests positive now. It was only my elementary school aged son who has been free from sickness. In order to feed my son we got by with takeout as I was bedridden.
This is what is upsetting for me - during this time I have not had a call or anything from church, yet each Sunday I'll hear of how other members who was convalescing would get calls or visits. Yet the only people who cared were two Muslim friends who have regularly touched base with me (my next door neighbour as she had not seen me for a while and a work colleague). The work colleague would ring me daily which culminated in her bringing over some cooked food. The neighbour volunteered to gather some shopping. My non believing Mum who is herself fragile, prepared food as I was too weak to eat and couldn't stand up for very long to cook for my son.
I thought as a church community we should be doing what three non Christians did for me or what I would do for someone in my situation. I feel so let down. I cried last night as I felt as though I'm not part of the 'in crowd' who would get the calls and the visits.
I apologise for coming out with this but I genuinely thought that if I had died earlier this week, the only thing they would miss would be my tithes and offerings, which I never forsake in giving.
Am I yet again in the wrong fellowship? There really are no other churches in my immediate area.
The world affairs point towards me definitely not keeping my two and myself at home again so not going to church isn't an option.
Do I 'smile and wave' once I'm well enough to return to fellowship? (I wonder if they would even notice)
Or is this something the Lord has used to show a distinct need for a ministry to look after single/divorced women/families? (after crying in prayer last night a thought came that the church needs to change)
How can I witness to my Muslim friends when the reality is no where close to what their community offers when someone is in need? I would hate to see someone won over to Christ and essentially forsake their community support to enter a Christian community who will not support them when they are in need.
Sorry for such a long post - would appreciate some wise counsel. Is it different in the US or the rest of the world? Do you guys have a more scripture based community of believers?