Conversion of sorts

[Isidora]

Hello all

I guess I am kind of converting, but not.  I was born into the Orthodox faith, but have not been part of it for most of my life now.  I stopped going to church when I was a teenager, and for about 13 years now have only been a couple of times to church, but to western Anglican or Evangelical churches.  I thought this was what I wanted, but it doesn't feel right to me.  So I am trying to go back to Orthodoxy, as to me it feels right.  But, there is something stopping me, I think it is just nerves and it being something different to what I have recently been sued to. but I also feel afraid that God will be unhappy that I turned my back on the church and went elsewhere.

As I haven't been part of the church in so long, a lot I have forgotten, or haven't learned, so it feels like something very new to me in some ways.  So I feel like I am converting.

I will probably have a lot of questions, and will need some advice, but hopefully I find myself soon at home

[mabsoota]

welcome isidora!
(have i been here long enough to welcome people?)
never loose heart on your spiritual journey, keep going until you find the peace that God gives, and don't let anything get in the way. ask, seek and knock.
 
mabsoota ('happy' in arabic)

[Gebre Menfes Kidus]

I have heard it said that cradle Orthodox  must also undergo a conversion of sorts at some point in their lives. Perhaps this is what is happening to you. Conversion is never easy. It will anger the devil and he will try to deter your endeavors to return to the Church. Be persistent, and recognize your trials as opportunities to draw nearer to God.

Our Lord is never angry at those who return to Him! Remember the story of the prodigal son! Christ is welcoming you back to His Church with open arms of unconditional love. Talk with a Priest and ask him to guide you back into the community of the faithful. Rejoice that you are coming home!


Selam

[sainthieu]

I also feel afraid that God will be unhappy that I turned my back on the church and went elsewhere.

I suspect that God understands that some of us need time to affirm things for ourselves. After all, He made each of us unique. Welcome back.

[katherineofdixie]

...I also feel afraid that God will be unhappy that I turned my back on the church and went elsewhere.

Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son and rejoice!

[NicholasMyra]

...I also feel afraid that God will be unhappy that I turned my back on the church and went elsewhere.

Remember the parable of the Prodigal Son and rejoice!

and the lost sheep!

Jesus said: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance."

[JamesRottnek]

Like others have said, don't be worried God will be unhappy with you for having left the Church.  God is saddened by your having left, and like the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son, he waits at his window looking at the horizon until you return.  When you come back to the Church, he won't admonish you and tell you to go work the fields.  He will embrace you and host a feast out of joy for your return.

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