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By Gia Arroyo<\/em><\/p>\n It is difficult to remember what life was like before my dad was a pastor. There is no point in me trying to recall because I was so small when he started.<\/p>\n My life has always been surrounded by church-related events — the whole routine of constantly being part of a congregation is normal.<\/p>\n The memories include spending hours after school in the sanctuary doing homework while my dad was in meetings, my dad stepping out and driving me to the McDonald\u2019s across the street, and then rushing back to a meeting.<\/p>\n Once I finished my homework, I\u2019d crawl under the church pews and count how many pieces of gum were stuck underneath. Sometimes I\u2019d quietly stand behind the pulpit and mimic my dad.<\/p>\n Sabbath mornings were a rush for me. I would wake up early and leave for church with my father. I would follow him as he passed by each Sabbath School class, wishing everyone a \u201cHappy Sabbath.”<\/p>\n My mother and I always sat in the front row to listen Dad preach. I loved how passionate he got when he\u2019d read a verse. His analogies were often silly, but they helped get his point across. His energy behind the pulpit was something I looked up to.<\/p>\n Last year, my Dad decided to look for a slower-paced occupation. For the sake of his wellbeing and health, he wanted a 9 to5 job. A part of me was very happy for him. He was a hard worker and deserved to disconnect from work when he got home. <\/p>\n The other half of me took it really hard.<\/p>\n If I\u2019m being honest, I still haven\u2019t accepted it. Being a pastor\u2019s kid was a part of my identity. My father’s retirement from pastoring was a tough pill for me to swallow.<\/p>\n It happened at the same time that was getting ready to leave for SAU. So, I was faced with a challenge once I arrived at Collegedale. What is church without my dad? <\/p>\n Any church without him seemed bleak. I wasn\u2019t interested in going. I only went to vespers \u2019cause I needed the credit.<\/p>\n There was not a connection between God and me. So I stopped going to church for a year and a half. I wasn\u2019t open to looking for a new church home because I believed I wouldn\u2019t find one that made me feel good.<\/p>\n But, during this time away from church, I began to feel the negative impact of not going.<\/p>\n My goal for 2019 is to go back to church. Although we\u2019re only a couple months into the year, I have been consistently church-hopping and trying to find my place.<\/p>\n I wish I could say that this story has a perfect ending, but I guess it doesn\u2019t \u2014 at least not yet.<\/p>\n I am trying to be consistent, but my motivation to attend services comes in waves. I realize that I need to take care of my relationship with God. I\u2019m determined to go to church.<\/p>\n I just have to learn to appreciate church without my dad.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" By Gia Arroyo It is difficult to remember what life was like before my dad was a pastor. There is no point in me trying to recall because I was so small when he started. My life has always been surrounded by church-related events — the whole routine of constantly being part of a congregation … <\/p>\n