Diary of a Grown-Up Church Girl
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"What exactly is a Grown-Up Church Girl"?

4/19/2017

10 Comments

 
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Recently I was asked about the name of my blog, Grown-Up Church Girl.  “What does it really mean,” the person asked, “Aren’t we all 'grown up' at this point?”  Well, let me explain…
 
The reference to “grown up” has absolutely nothing to do with my chronological age and everything to do with my relationship with God.  I speak about this often, here’s the short story…
 
I grew up in church.  I attended Sunday School, I sang in the choir, I had friends at church, I enjoyed going there.  I ate really good, and very fattening, food there.  I was very involved, I'm telling you, church was fun for me and it was a great experience.  I loved God and I knew that God loved me because everything was going well for me.  I was the epitome of a "church girl."  But then...

Life got tough... and I had no choice but to GROW UP in my understanding of who God is.

I had to grow up when...

I got laid off from my job, when I struggled to establish my own business, and when
money was tight.

 I was home enough to see that my husband wasn't doing all that I thought he should
 do.
 
 I filed for divorce.

 Lines were drawn, when friends were lost, when close relationships died.
 
 I fired one divorce lawyer, when another one quit, when I thought the madness would 
 never end.
 
I had to grow up when...

I was forced to lean on a God who seemed so distant and trust in a God who seemed to be nowhere in sight.
 
You see, I had to grow up and realize that He loves me even though He sometimes has an odd and difficult way of showing it.  And I had to learn that even though all of my requests wouldn't be answered when or how I’d like, He only wants what’s best for me.
 
And that's when my relationship with Him became closer, better, and more mature. 

That's when I grew up and became the Grown-Up Church Girl I am today.  Now I'm writing about it, speaking about it, and coaching about it. 

But I'm not finished.  I'm still "growing"  and I firmly believe that the best is yet to come!



10 Comments
Genevee Swanagan
4/20/2017 09:36:59 am

Yes l do get it now. A lot of growing up to do.

Reply
Gail
4/22/2017 07:34:06 am

Indeed so. I appreciate you taking the time to read this post.

Reply
Yvonne
4/21/2017 06:13:30 am

Mirror image. I am so humbled by your truth. I thank God for you Gail, as I too am "growing" in my relationship with God. Learning to trust Him for everything, as He does chastise.
But because of His unconditional love, I know that what I must endure, makes me stronger.
These days I have obediently learned to not be on fb so much and to guard my words, time... But your blog and two or three others I follow. Love you my dear Sister!

Reply
Gail
4/22/2017 07:34:48 am

Love you, too, Sis. And I appreciate you taking the time to read this post.

Reply
Susan Joy Schleef link
4/21/2017 03:22:52 pm

I grew up in the church as well and have gone thru multiple layers of "growing up" over the decades - including a long period of agnosticism. I was fortunate to read an article many years ago, when I was really struggling with my spirituality, that talked about different stages of spiritual development and said that we need to find our own relationship to god that is right for our stage of development. That really resonated for me and gave me "permission" to eventually find my relationship to spirit that looks nothing like what I grew up with. Sometimes we have to let go of what we've been trying to hang onto in order to find what is waiting for us!

Reply
Gail
4/22/2017 07:36:26 am

Oh yes, I agree with your statement 100%! Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.

Reply
Denise Price
4/21/2017 07:18:54 pm

What a great summary of what your blog is all about. You are doing good things, Gail.

Reply
Gail
4/22/2017 07:35:23 am

Thanks so much, Gravely. You know my story more than most. Your support is always appreciated.

Reply
Kim Eldredge - New Frontier Books link
4/25/2017 12:56:41 pm

Fascinating read. I'd never really thought about that part of a spiritual journey but you're so right. We Grow Up when we remember to lean on God - when things are ugly and it all feels distant.

Thank you for the beautiful reminder!

Reply
Rick Cooper link
4/26/2017 03:47:30 pm

Thanks for your insights Gail. I joined a church in my late 30's and got active. I enjoyed participating in ministry work and helping others.

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    Hello and Welcome to my blog!

    I'm a grown up "church girl" who is bouncing back from some hard blows, including an ugly divorce, financial hardship, and dreams deferred.  Now, more than ever before, I am embracing the idea of transformation and beautiful new beginnings. 

    Won't you take this journey with me?

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