Becoming an adult (8th anniversary) Part 3

Posted on June 30, 2021 by oneta hayes

I mentioned before about being a loner; that is not entirely true. I did have cousins and my daddy’s sister who were near my age. My reference to being a loner related more to high school and my first year of college. I did have friends and I was happy, but I had no after school sorts of things. That was partly because of my holiness beliefs but also because I lived out in the country. I did not miss school functions or dating because I was content with family and church.

As a sophomore in college, my dad brought me to Southwestern Bible College here in Oklahoma City. I lived in a dorm with other girls, and had my first date – yeah, with the fellow I married. I had my first experience with a big church – Muse Memorial which ran from 250-300 people most of the time. At least it was big for me, and it was home church for thirty years. There followed a series of other churches brought about because of changes in jobs and residences. My last change was when I moved to Mustang and began attending the Bridge Assembly of God. That has been home for about 17 years. I have loved all my churches and have been loved in return. They have all run in size 35-75 people, 150-350, and 1200-1500. Those were the churches I attended and supported. I find strengths and weakness in each size. And I believe all of them have been established by God. I have never attended a mega-church so I cannot speak about that size with personal experience. I feel sorrow as the small ones became smaller, steadfast and faithful, refusing change while their younger generations move on. But I rejoice at the personal touch that can be given by the small church. I feel sorrow as the large ones become larger, the generations coming and going. Many almost seem to have compromised to luke-warmness. But I rejoice at the number of people who can be reached by the big church; and I pray that the leadership of this generation will find a way to do both, reaching many with a personal touch. In recent years much criticism has been directed to the “traditional” churches as they have been accused of being legalistic and judgmental but I did not find my church to be mean; rather I found love and good sense from unselfish and open-hearted people. Then as now, I am thankful to be a member of a fellowship of Believers in Christ – a Christian, a child of the King.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Since I wrote this I have left my fellowship at the Bridge largely because of age and health. It was difficult for me to walk the distance to park and enter as well as other walking issues. Also the church became very “contemporary” in worship style standing long periods of time during the singing. My physical condition as well as my upbringing did not want that change. In my past I was used to sitting during singing. Those who wanted to stood when the “spirit” moved them. 😀 I now have become a member of a small traditional style Baptist church where I do not stand even “when the spirit” moves me. I expect to remain seated there until Jesus takes me. 😀 (I’m joking a bit with my friends at both churches.)

About oneta hayes

ABOUT ME Hello. To various folks I am Neat’nee, Mom, Grandma Neta, Gramma, Aunt Neta, Aunt Noni, Aunt Neno, and Aunt Neto (lots of varieties from little nieces and nephews). To some I’m more like “Didn’t you used to be my teacher?” or “Don’t I know you from someplace?” To you, perhaps, I am a Fellow Blogger. Not “fellow” like a male or a guy, but “fellow” like a companion or an adventurer. I would choose to be Grandma Blogger, and have you pull up a chair, my website before you, while I tell you of some days of yore. I have experienced life much differently than most of you. It was and is a good life. I hope to share nuggets of appreciation for those who have gone before me and those who come after me. By necessity you are among those who come after me and I will tell you of those who came before. Once upon a time in a little house on a prairie - oops, change that lest I commit plagiarism - and change that “house on the prairie” to “dugout on the prairie.” So my story begins...
This entry was posted in 8th anniverary, my story, near death experience, Uncategorized and tagged , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

13 Responses to Becoming an adult (8th anniversary) Part 3

  1. Julie (aka Cookie) says:
    June 30, 2021 at 8:42 am

    oh your words speak of are both power and humility.
    Thank you Oneta!!

    Reply
  2. atimetoshare.me says:
    June 30, 2021 at 9:34 am

    God doesn’t differentiate between the standers and the sitters. He loves all of us. Thankfully, because I prefer sitting in church too.

    Reply
  3. insanitybytes22 says:
    June 30, 2021 at 10:42 am

    So good to read, Oneta. 🙂

    Reply
  4. floridaborne says:
    June 30, 2021 at 4:47 pm

    You didn’t mention your major in college.

    It has been my experience that “new and improved” should be labeled “different and not necessarily better.” Never thought of that happening in churches as well.

    Reply
    • oneta hayes says:
      June 30, 2021 at 10:56 pm

      My degrees: BA Education and Sociology, Adams State College, Alamosa Co: MA: Education, Bethany Nazarene College Specialist: Reading also from BNC; Doctorate of Ministry, American Christian College and Seminary (private college, no longer in existence because of lack of funds) It was nationally accredited by the Department of Education and Christian Higher Education Assoc. at the time I got my degree. I do not have a Master of Divinity Degree which is sometimes requited before receiving the D.M.

      Reply
      • floridaborne says:
        July 1, 2021 at 2:21 am

        WOW! Thanks for sharing you major(s). What a committment to your faith. Were you married while you were in college or wait until afterward?

        Reply
        • oneta hayes says:
          July 1, 2021 at 10:17 am

          Long after. We spent the first years putting Sammy through while I worked as a Secretary to the Supervisor of Services for the Blind (most of that time, some at Tinker Air Force Base. I didn’t get my BA until I was thirty-one. Got the DMin when I was seventy-one. My, you are pulling out the memories.

          Reply
  5. Faye says:
    June 30, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    INTERESTING! Thank you. As I struggle in 2021 to remember and write my memoirs – about God in my life and discoveries …..I am poignantly reminded of how separated as a teen in many ways I was, yet how very different our two lives actually were.
    Yet, how in Christ, they are today. the same.
    It took me more than 18 years to discover and KNOW for myself WHO God really is. this journey of discovery took me to many uncertain and darker places spiritually. Finding the LIGHT and KNOWING Who the LIGHT is, is the reason why I am penning what I write this year. Shafts of Gold will be, if I finish it, a God story of discovering Him for myself after asking as a six year old “Who are you really?… Please show me.? I value so much the insight into your journey you have penned. Blessings!

    Reply

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