You Don’t Know What You Have Until It’s Gone

My name is Courtney and I am an Atlanta native. My middle name easily could have been “Peachtree,” and as a kid, Coke could have come in a Sippy cup. That’s how much I love my city! I didn’t realize how much until God asked me to move to Orlando. I’m headed there with my husband and two little girls (2.5 and 5 years old) in a couple of weeks. My husband got an amazing job offer with a new employer, so after much prayer and counsel, we decided to go.

I am finding the saying “You don’t know what you have until it’s gone” to be absolutely true. As we prepare to venture into a new city, we are realizing how great we had it and thought we’d share with you. We know there are exciting things in store. I just feel it’s good to reflect and thank the Lord for how present he was through our journey.

As I reflect on our 12+ years of attending North Point and then Buckhead Church, I am so grateful that God used so many people and so many environments to change us forever.

Let me take you on a quick walk through the “chapters” of our time in this amazing church:

PERSPECTIVE (2001–2002): Our first experience with North Point was as a dating, and then engaged couple. What blew our minds the most was that church and God could be relevant to our daily lives, that God’s Word and his teachings could be practical and useful. We fell in love with Jesus again in a personal way.

COMMUNITY (2003+): Just before our wedding, we joined our first married small group. We instantly had “our friends,” not “his friends” verses “her friends.” We went through rough pregnancies, newborns, toddlers, second children, marriage issues, deaths, deeply sad family situations, and financial struggles. We prayed, cried, laughed, and even roller-skated together! God taught us more together than we would have ever learned separately.

COURAGE (2003+): Through messages and God working in my heart, I found the courage to take two trips to Ukraine with Chick-fil-A (my full-time job at the time). I experienced what it was like to be in the center of God’s will. Later, I was given the courage to leave the greatest job in the world to be a stay-at-home mom and transfer my identity from my career to my identity in Christ.

AWAKENING (2006): I was baptized at Buckhead Church in the days when it met in the Roswell Road (“grocery store”) location. I felt like I was growing at lightning speed and that my heart was going to burst with love for my Savior. I was seeing things for the first time, which was pretty cool for a girl who had been a Christian since she was five years old. Baptism was one of the best experiences of my life. We also had a chance to serve with KidStuf and Guest Services. It was such a joy to greet new faces and to be a part of the grander vision of the church.

GUIDANCE (2006+): Waumba Land has inspired me to be a better mom. Each week, the same faces show up faithfully and serve with smiles to show my children that there is a God who loves them so much. My kids go in happy and come out happy. They come home singing about Jesus and spouting Scripture. I have no idea how to ever thank this group adequately. I encourage any new folks to trust Waumba’s system, and to use those Parent Cards to keep the conversation going at home. Those little hearts are sponges.

MOTIVATION (2008–Now): I feel in the last four years that the messages and the church have really motivated Ron and me to go bigger with everything, from how much we give of our time and resources, to how we follow God’s Word and do great things for his glory. Buckhead Church has been a major reason I started my own business based on biblical principles.

I feel there should be “no regrets” in life . . . so as we prepare to leave Buckhead Church, I made an “I WISH” list (with hopes that maybe you can learn from it):

I WISH . . . I had served MORE! I kept thinking there would be a better time.

I WISH . . . I had written more thank-you notes “just because” to the volunteers who care for my kids and make Buckhead Church happen.

I WISH . . . I had led more than one Community Group with my husband. The church needs good leaders, not perfect ones. Leading is hard, but God can use us and work through us.

I WISH . . . I had taken my Bible and my journal to church every week. I had over 12 years of teachings, and I’m constantly trying to remember that “point” or that “verse” that really hit me. It would be nice to have written it down.

I WISH . . . I had invited more people. Seriously, it is the easiest place ever to invite a new person.

I WISH . . . it had not taken me so long to focus on worship instead of being entertained by the band. Worship has been so meaningful in recent years and is my favorite part of Sunday morning.

When I look back, it’s amazing to think I got to be a part of a church that continues to remain true to its mission—to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Thank you, Buckhead Church.

Sincerely and with all my gratitude,

Courtney DeFeo

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