Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. -1 John 4:7
This love story began almost thirty three years ago when we were new to Shreveport. Our neighbors invited us to visit church and Sunday School with them.
Yesterday as I was cleaning out a little used bookshelf, I uncovered an old journal of mine. As I opened the journal and read the first few entries, I knew it was God’s nudge for me to write this note of love to my church family. The journal entry for February 20,1983 read, “We visited Broadmoor UMC today…I think I’d like to stay there.”
So many memories and pivotal moments in my faith journey washed over me. All the love and all the people that have filled those years at Broadmoor made me a bit teary; tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears of regret, but mostly tears of love. I immediately began a prayer of gratitude to thank God for leading us to Broadmoor. I truly believe that without His divine guidance we would have never found such a perfect church home. I can see His hand in so many of our life’s ups and downs over those years. He continues to show me that He is in control, that He is always with me, and that He loves me very much.
Yes, you are my family. The only family that John and I have in this city, the only local family that my children had growing up. I love you with all your warts and goodness, your love and forgiveness, your support when times were almost too hard to bear, and in the many times of fun, fellowship, laughter and pure joy in friendships! As with all my relationships, I never say I love you enough. Well, Broadmoor United Methodist Church, Shreveport, Louisiana, I love you.
By Jane Hubbard
I Love My Church!