From the village store to church: How God led Maureen from loneliness to the joy of Christian fellowship.
It was a Friday afternoon. Maureen had recently moved to a village in South Wales and didn’t know anyone. Feeling lonely and tearful due to personal challenges, she found herself passing by the village store three times. She was thinking about her birthday the next day. On her third pass she said to herself, “It’s my birthday tomorrow and I’ll be all on my own. I’ll treat myself to a cake and a nice cup of coffee”. As Maureen entered the store, she made her way to the cakes section.
An Encounter at the Cakes Section
At the same time, Christine, a church member preparing for the fellowship lunch the next day, entered the store. She needed to buy a few items, including cake. While she was looking at the cakes, she noticed Maureen doing the same. They started chatting, and Maureen shared, “It’s my birthday tomorrow.” Excitedly, Christine responded, “Oh, it’s mine today!”
The Invitation
Sharing a birthday bond, Christine warmly invited Maureen to church the next day, “There is fellowship lunch tomorrow in our church, would you like to come?” Along with the invitation, came also the kind offer, “I’ll pick you up in the morning.’’
Maureen was touched by Christine's kind offer to pick her up in the morning. They exchanged phone numbers. Maureen looked forward to the next day, but she wasn't sure if Christine would follow through, ‘’I didn’t think she would turn up.'' Despite her doubts, Christine did indeed arrive as she had promised.
A Memorable Birthday
On Sabbath, the morning of her birthday, they both came together to Ystrad Mynach church. Maureen was deeply moved by the warm welcome, especially when the church made her birthday memorable. As the congregation sang "Happy Birthday" to her, tears of gratitude rolled down her cheeks. Overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and kindness, Maureen felt a sense of belonging she hadn't experienced in a long time. She then shared her testimony, recounting how the day had transformed from one of loneliness to one of joy, ‘’Today I was going to be all alone, and everyone has made my day so special, this is the best birthday I ever had!’’
It was God's Leading
Following the unforgettable day, Maureen shared her experience with a friend who had previously encouraged her to look for a church. When she heard Maureen’s story, with amazement she said, “I didn’t know God worked so quickly!” Both were amazed at the quick and remarkable turn of events, sensing a divine intervention in the unfolding of the day's events.
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