I'm used to leaving people.

Having to say goodbye every 2-4 years as a military brat made me an expert.

However, I am not an expert at people leaving me.

Since moving to Fredericksburg and buying our home, we were able to establish some roots. We found a Free Will Baptist Church close to home; it was the same denomination as our home church in NC. It was small and people were friendly. The pastor had good messages and we quickly settled in. Both of my step-kids were baptized there, my babies were christened there, I helped teach the kids’ service on Wednesdays and participated in Vacation Bible School, Friday morning Bible studies, and potlucks.

The congregation was my second family. The older ladies that taught Sunday School were like grandmas to my kids; we had dinner at church members’ houses; I hosted a Ladies’ Bible study at my house; we celebrated holidays with everyone; we even did beach trips and retreats with our church family members.

You get the picture!

We were there for ten years and formed some great bonds.

Then the church fell apart.

The pastor told me he was moving, the church couldn't afford to keep the doors open, and everyone found different churches to attend.

Just like that, the place that had been such a huge part of our lives for ten years was gone.

I am a very loyal person and would never have left had the church remained there, but the choice was out of my hands. Sometimes we don't get to choose when a season of our lives ends.

It was time to find a new church.

I had no idea where to go, but I knew God would help me find a place where we could grow.

We tried a few of the big churches, but it didn't have the same feel.

We tried some smaller churches, but they weren't for us either.

My girls had gone to preschool with a family that I trusted, so I asked the mom where they went to church.

She told me the name of a mid-sized church down the road.

Later that same day, I took the girls to Tae Kwon Do. I happened to ask another mom I trusted where she went to church.

She gave me the exact same answer!

Out of the only two people I asked, they both said the same church!

I had no idea the two women even knew each other.

Okay, God. I can take a hint!

We went. Once there, the assistant pastor greeted us and when we came back, he actually remembered our names! It was big enough to have stability, provide options for friends, and all the amenities of a larger church, but still small enough for people to remember our names and not get lost in the crowd.

We formed new connections, made new friends, joined a Life Group, participated in Vacation Bible School, and started creating our new church family.

Looking back, I can see God's providence in that transition.

I wouldn't have chosen for our old church to close. I wouldn't have chosen to say goodbye to people who had been part of our family's life for ten years. But when circumstances made the decision for me, God didn't leave me wandering indefinitely, wondering where we belonged.
He guided us forward.
And He did it in such a simple way—through two ordinary conversations with two people I trusted, on the very same day.

Since then, there have been changes and people have come and gone, but God is faithful! He answered my prayer for a new church, guided us there, and remains our constant friend.

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” — Deuteronomy 31:8

Maybe you're in a season where someone has left, something familiar has ended, or a decision you never wanted to make has been made for you.

You may not know where you're going next.

I didn't either.

But God did.

Sometimes His providence looks like keeping us exactly where we are. Other times, it looks like gently guiding us into a new chapter we never would have chosen on our own.

People come and go. Churches change. Seasons end.

But God is always faithful.

And wherever we have to go next, he's already there.