The Encouragement Place (Letter Six)

Dear Y.B.M.:

Down through the years in this country, we as a people have been known to be closely connected to the church.

My grandparents and parents are church-going people. They always have been. I am thankful that my elders made sure that I went to church regularly while I was growing up. I must say that I really did not learn much from church during those years. But I am thankful for the experience because it helped to place within me a hunger and desire for the true and living God.

When I became a teenager, I rebelled against going to church. During that time, I did not feel that it had any place in my life. However, when I left home upon graduation from high school, God and the church had a strong pull on me, even though I was a prodigal son. After some time out on my own, I finally came to know the true and living God through Jesus Christ. I believe this grand experience is due partly to my praying grandparents and parents and their dogged resolution to keep their offspring in church. I said all of that to say this: Stay close to the church.