Raised by two deeply religious parents, a twice-divorced woman questions why she can’t bring herself to go back to church. Fifteen years have passed since she last attended, and she wonders if the obstacles are spiritual, emotional, or both.
DEAR ABBY: Woman resists her own attempts to go to church
Key Takeaways:
- She is twice-divorced and has no children.
- Her parents were deeply religious, attending church every Sunday.
- She regularly went to church until 15 years ago.
- She now struggles with motivation to return.
- Her story appears in a “Dear Abby” advice column context.
The Early Church Routine
Growing up, she followed the example of her devout parents, both of whom remained committed to weekly church attendance. In her words, “I was raised by two deeply religious parents (now deceased) who attended church every Sunday and took me along.”
A Long Absence
Despite her early dedication, she abruptly stopped going to church 15 years ago. She does not detail the precise reasons for dropping the habit, but acknowledges this substantial gap in her life of faith.
Lingering Doubts
Over time, personal circumstances have changed: she is twice-divorced and has no children. She wonders if these events have contributed to her hesitation in returning to church. “I regularly attended church until 15 years ago,” she says, underscoring how her former routine feels so distant.
Questioning Next Steps
Today, she grapples with her own reluctance to reintroduce church into her life. As she writes to “Dear Abby,” it’s clear she seeks both advice and introspection on whether her hiatus is a temporary derailment of faith or a permanent choice. The emotional weight of this decision points to deeper questions about how she reconciles her religious upbringing with her present uncertainties.