Today at churchhttp://georgetownbiblechurch.com Pastor Garry preached about the importance of having a safe place to go when life gets challenging.  The church should be that place.  But for a lot of us instead of a safe place it’s a painful place.  A place where hurt occurred instead of healing.  For a long time I cringed inwardly when it came time to greet others shake hands and say hello.  For a long time I tried to avoid the smiling, more than likely sincere greeters who stand at the doorway saying hello to the rest of us on our way into the worship service. 
The avoidance isn’t because I am antisocial. In fact, I long for the safe fellowship preached about this morning.  The avoidance,  the withdrawal is from a memory of the hot stove.  If you touch it or get to close it will hurt.
Thankfully though I am learning to identify what things burn and what things warm and I see changes.  For example,  I moved out of my seat today and down the aisle and shook hands with a couple from my small group. A year ago I would not have even seen them let alone sought them. I don’t think I am ready to sign up to be on the greeting committee yet but I am making progress. 
I am learning that a safe place is not a perfect place but instead it is a place of grace.