She was a mother of two, battling quiet storms no one could see. The days were long, the nights even longer—grief, guilt, and years of loneliness had taken their toll. Her psychologist, after months of sessions, gently suggested: “You need people. Try group therapy—some kind of community.”
Reluctantly, she agreed. But it wasn’t therapy she found—it was fellowship. A small church gathering down her street caught her eye. Nothing fancy. Just people meeting to pray, worship, and talk about life. But something happened the moment she stepped in—she felt seen, not judged. Welcomed, not watched.
Week after week, she kept returning. They remembered her name. They noticed when she was missing. They prayed when she had no words left. Slowly, joy returned. Peace began to bloom. Her children saw a new light in her eyes.
And after ten long years, she found something she thought was lost forever—love. It wasn’t her plan, but it was part of God’s restoration.
All this, because she didn’t stay away. She chose to try again.
Maybe you’ve been distant. Life has knocked you about. Maybe you feel forgotten, or simply tired. But the same God who met her in fellowship wants to meet you too.
The early church wasn’t perfect—but they were together. Acts 2:42 says they “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” And what followed? Gladness, favour, healing, and increase.
Hebrews 10:25 gently warns us not to forsake meeting together. Why? Because it’s in community that we are encouraged, restored, and strengthened.
Don’t stay away. There’s a place for you. Come back to fellowship. Come back to joy. Who knows? You might even find more than you hoped for.
Extract from John Turner “Fellow in the Ship”
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk