We are not the kind of church that excuses ourselves from the good and hard things in people’s lives. Instead, as Jesus followers, we choose to jump into the stories all around us and stay awhile. RealLife Stories are one way to share how Jesus is showing up in our community, our church, and in our relationships.
Debbie Edinger’s Story
“They don’t believe in grace,” Debbie said as she sat on her deck with sunshine across her shoulders. “Oh, and they don’t allow celebrations of birthdays or holidays.”
She paused and looked out at the lake. “My daughters are still a part of it, so sadly, I’ve never met my granddaughter.” Her voice caught a little. “I did get to see her once during a Zoom call for my mother’s funeral, though.”
Julia’s Story
“I didn’t even know this place was here.” The phrase hung in the air while two women from Real Life walked towards the front door of an assisted living facility on East Nixon carrying communion supplies in their hands.
A few months earlier, RealLife had received an email asking if someone could provide communion for a woman named Julia. She had recently been diagnosed with ALS/MND, commonly known as Lou Gerhig’s disease. She was 47 years old.
