I grew up in a time when, if a parent spoke, you listened. When you were told to do something, you did it. There weren’t explanations and there weren’t debates. Obedience was expected, and questions weren’t really part of the conversation. On top of that, my brother and I were being raised in a church that felt much the same way. Faith followed a clear structure: you were taught what was right, what was wrong, and what was expected of you. My mother had found this church thro

One Sunday morning, I rose early to care for my husband’s bedridden great-uncle. I rushed to meet his needs, thinking I’d still get ready for church. I’d been doing this daily, making sure he had everything. That morning, though, I was utterly exhausted. As I drove home, all I longed for was rest. In that quiet moment, I felt God impress upon me: “What you’re doing now is exactly what you should be doing. Church can wait.” I was tired to the bone, barely catching my breath. A