Sometimes you find God somewhere else.

Sometimes you don’t find God in church.

Sometimes you go to church, and as others around you experience the Almighty, you experience only discomfort.

Or the pain of old wounds.

Or bitterness.

Sometimes you enter that building and something triggers a memory and your heart goes into defense mode and something tells you not to let yourself be vulnerable.

Not this time.

Not right now.

Maybe next time, but right now. Today. You must keep your heart safe.

And you wonder if God is there, but you’re afraid to open up your heart and look, so maybe he’s not there or maybe you’re just missing it, but right now you don’t care.

And that’s okay.

Because sometimes you don’t find God in church.

Sometimes you find God somewhere else.

Sometimes he/she is in that sigh of relief that leaves your lips as you exit the building.

Sometimes he/she is in the furry black cat that curls up by your feet and licks your toes when you get home.

Sometimes you find God in the lock on your bedroom door that filters the rest of the world out.

Sometimes you find God as you curl up for a nap and the bad feelings give way to dreams.

Sometimes you find God in rest and solitude and silence and in a furry black cat.

Sometimes you don’t find God in church.

And that’s okay.