Amputated

Early on this summer, while I was traveling home, I went to church with Lynola, Uncle Henry & Aunt Ardie in Maple Ridge.  The sermon was about the Body of Christ, and unity in the body.  I don't remember all of it, but we were encouraged to meet new people and to get more involved in the body.  The pastor also said at one point that when someone who is actively involved leaves the local body it feels like a part of the body has been amputated.  This wasn't necessarily said as a bad thing, but the pain of amputation is a reflection of the blessing unity of the body.
After going home from church Lynola and I sat on the porch swing in the back yard.  I commented on what the pastor had said about amputation.  It stood out to me because I had just left my home church of four years to go on vacation and then move to Texas.  Sort of as a joke I commented that I had been amputated from my church.  I did not really have a problem with this because I knew that God had called me away and I was confident he would provide another church family and community for me in Texas.
Fast forward to the end of the summer.  I loved spending time in Smithers, and even getting to be there for the first weeks of their new pastor being there.  At the same time though I missed my church and the fellowship there.  I was getting tired of being in transition, and after having been 'amputated' from my church body, I was greatly looking forward to being connected to a new church body.
Transitions definitely have their challenges, but even as I adjust to living in Texas and serving with Gospel for Asia, I am very thankful for the fellowship of other believers.  I am glad that God blessed us with the local body of Christ as well as the larger body throughout the world.