It was so special to hear Abby and Elise’s testimonies and see them get baptized this past Sunday! I had grown up with both of them in the church and, in the years leading up to their baptisms, had gotten to see different parts of their journey and how they led up to that moment. One of the things that stood out from what they shared was how they found safe space in the church. You can hear their testimonies here.
For Elise, it was when she was younger and growing up in the church. The church was a place for her to color during worship, run around, and play with her friends. Having that space then, allowed her to connect with God in her own time and grow deeply in the church today.
For Abby, she shared that when she struggled with her faith and had questions, she was given space to have conversations that she didn’t know she could have in the church. Being able to have those conversations affirmed her experiences in her faith journey and encouraged her to continue pressing into her faith.
Even this past Sunday, when they shared their testimonies; their struggles and faith journey; they could confidently share the good and the bad because it was a safe space for them to.
Safe spaces aren’t created in days, weeks, or months; it is the act of continually showing up and listening, guiding, encouraging, and praying: Kingdom Parenting. Cultivating a space not only for the great moments, but also the messy, confusing ones, can encourage growth in more ways than we could know.
At LifeSpring, we are committed to be Kingdom Parents. How can we be a safe space for others?