comunidad.

My mom was here in Searcy saturday night-tuesday morning. We had a lot of fun just hanging out and catching up :) Sunday morning we went to one of the spanish churches in town. I used to sometimes go to a spanish church that meets in the fellowship building of Berry's Chapel church of Christ in Franklin, but haven't been in over a year. I loved going - the pastor of that church is still one of the happiest people I have ever met. The whole congregation (probably only 30 people) was so gracious and friendly. They would "nominate" me to read scripture aloud sometimes... in spanish... talk about nerve-wracking. But they were always so sweet when correcting my pronunciation :)   (Pharisee and Samaritan aren't exactly in my vocabulary).  

The service we went to on sunday was so great. I love hearing a prayer in spanish. I love that worship breaks all cultural and language barriers. I love that, even if we don't completely understand one another, we all worship and love the One True God. I love that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, despite our language, race, or culture. I really just love people. And I'm learning more and more to see the beauty of God in every face.

Community is what it's all about :) 

Hope

This is an excerpt from the book, Hope in the Dark. It's a conversation between an African man and one of the authors, Jena Lee:

 

" 'We know that Americans pity Africans,' he told me. 'But sometimes I think Africans pity Americans.'

'How so?' I asked him.

'Americans seem to expect that everything will be provided for them. For us,' he said, 'this ear of corn is a gift from God. This evening's rain is a shower of mercy upon us. This healthy breath is life-giving. And, maybe tomorrow we will not have such things, but our hearts are so full from God's provision.' "

i want to live like this. completely dependent on Him.

Check out Mocha Club. 

I volunteered at their office in Nashville this summer - such genuine people and a really simple but awesome way to do a little more. 

Amazed

I have heard the song "Amazed" so many times. But i think i actually listened to it for the first time yesterday. 

You dance over me

While I am unaware

You sing all around

But I never hear the sound

Lord, I'm amazed by You

Lord, I'm amazed by You

Lord, I'm amazed by You

And how You love me

You paint the morning sky

With miracles in mind

My hope will always stand

For You hold me in Your hand

How deep, how wide

How great is Your love for me

The first verse is what gets me. Everyone has days when they feel so alone; too alone for anyone to understand, too hurt to even have words to tell anyone. The imagery of our Father described in this song is so beautiful. In those times of not having words to describe your pain or hurt, He knows our hearts and is feeling our hurt along beside us, whether we know it or not. I too often forget that He is always here. He will never leave me or forsake me. The God of the Universe has promised to be with me always! "You dance over me, while I am unaware. You sing all around, but i never hear the sound." At our loneliest, God is covering us in His love and His incredible comfort.

I'm not sure what it was yesterday, but my Father's unconditional and unfathomable love became a little more real to me.