I had a conversation with a woman recently who was very sad that I was no longer going to church. She was even crying as she tried to express the heart of Jesus that not all churches were bad, that he sees my pain and wants me to heal from my hurt and let my wounds heal and try it again and that there’s good churches out there.

She was so sweet and caring. But she didn’t understand. So I explained:

“Sure, I’ve been hurt in the past. I have wounds, just like you do. Sometimes I feel sad. But I’m doing great. And I haven’t rejected the church, but opened my mind and heart to include everything and everyone else. The local church no longer had room for me. Both my church and I agreed: we were no longer compatible with each other. The box they gave me was spacious, but it was still a box and couldn’t live like that any longer. We could have done it better. But I hold nothing against them. I’m actually better than I’ve ever been. I’m really happy. Nothing’s wrong. You don’t have to feel sorry for me. I don’t need your pity. But thanks. That’s sweet of you.”

You’re free to use that if you want 😉