The most wonderful part of this transformation is that it is making me more grateful for
my most blessed and abundant life. I always have rent money, enough food…and a good
umbrella, in case I do decide to walk to work.
“
Taking a giant leap of faith, I quit my job last year. To call it a ‘leap of faith’ is very true.
It was a leap — a huge decision that impacts our family, our finances, and our lifestyle.
I quit for many reasons, but the main reason was because my work/life balance wasn’t
working for me. I needed to be home and available for my daughter.
A huge part of who I was had now changed. How would I define myself? How would
others define me? I had always been a working woman, and for the past thirteen years I
had been a working mom. I was proud of that, but I realized that it isn’t all I am or all I can
be. But how would I provide for my family? Part of my leap of faith was examining my faith
and how God can help me find a new way.
I have loved this change. I have been scared by this change, but I know with unwavering
certainty it was the right decision at the right time. I have time for my daughter, time to be
present in our lives, time to pray and search for a new path. I also have the added benefit
of more time to be involved at St. James’; I joined two committees and I am running for the
Vestry. I am still scared, but I have faith that things will work out; they will work out because
I have renewed faith in myself.
“
Back when I was church shopping, high on my list of priorities was a church that really
felt like home — a home where I could (metaphorically) kick my shoes off, be myself,
and resist that need to “pull myself together” before walking in the door. St. James’ felt like
that place almost immediately, and since then I’ve certainly tested that perception. My life
has been messy. I have gone from being a student to a full-time attorney since I first came
here. I have experienced periods of unemployment, heartbreak, and grief — sometimes all
at once — in addition to some incredible joys and successes. All of this I have been able to
literally bring to the table at St. James’.
In the world, it is easy to cave to the pressure to “put on a happy face.” That is where
church is different from the world. Our life in Christ allows us to live messily if that is where
we are — Christ loves us, and by extension our church family loves us, completely and
totally “as-is.” It does not matter how put together we are, nor does our current financial-,
relationship-, or job-status affect how loved we are in this place. This is a freedom and
privilege not often offered to us by the world, so I hope we all continue to bring our mess
and our joys here in prayer and fellowship together.
Sue Bennett
I am still scared, but I
have faith that things
will work out. They
will work out because
I have renewed
faith in myself.
Susanna Guffey
In the world, it is easy
to cave to the pressure
to “put on a happy
face.” That is where
the church is different
from the world.
Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection
and the life. Those who believe in me,
even though they die, will live...’
John 11:25
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