Volume 25: Rest in People and Jesus

 

My heart is very very full. Jesus is really really good. I am extremely extremely blessed. Amen. 

EXTRA EXTRA read all about it!! Morgan throws herself a birthday party!! Who does such a thing??

Well, in the moment I look around and I see my whole family, my coworkers, my small group, my old neighbors who I grew up with, my old younglife teammates and my Greenville friends ALL IN ONE PLACE, I am so quick to give thanks to the provider of it all. 

As my Dad was leaving the party, he gave me a hug and said "Good job today." I gave him a look of question, thinking ehh what did I do? In reading my mind, he said "you keep surrounding yourself with great friends."

To which I quickly responded, "The Lord continues to provide." And whew, that is a true statement. What a beautiful thing it is that my family and others have a glimpse of Jesus through the people that love me well. 

Through Debbie opening up her home, cooking amazing food, and always ensuring that everyone has everything they need!

Through Avery showing up to surprise me, by herself, jumping right in!

Through Blake, Josh and Abby exemplifying their humility and loyalty at their core!

Through the Cleckner Crew's enthusiasm, joy, and Christ center values in their family!

Through the Currys traveling from Greenville just for the night!

The day was never quiet - full of sounds of kids screaming, dogs barking, people chatting and a lot of laughter. 

Not just normal, every day laughter. Rather, true child-like joy. I have found myself continually smiling today, as I reflect on the fact that we were all in the park, participating in field day relays. A group that doesn't even all know each other... ranging from 70 years old to 7... Yet, everyone was all in. Never questioning anything I made them do... Running the egg on a spoon down and back. Dribbling the soccer ball through the cones. Wheelbarrow racing. Kicking their shoe off their foot. And more... 

But for those 30+ minutes, we were all free. Those are the moments that I understand what Jesus means when he calls us to have hearts like children. It's a beautiful thing! 

I'm thankful for my friends and I'm thankful for my family. I do not take it for granted to have people to travel to Chattanooga for the day. I'm humbled by it. 

Overall, yesterday was a reminder that it is not good for man to be alone! So may we continue to give thanks for the people God has so graciously given us. And quick to celebrate them! 

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Gospel Study Highlights From The Week:

In February, we have been reading Mark for the Gospel Study, and since there are only 16 chapters in the book, I have only been reading about 12-20ish verses a day. The past couple of years, I have had a much bigger section every morning, but it has been so good for me to take it slow and really focus on a small section at a time. 

In Mark 4:35-41, in the story of Jesus calming the storm with simply words... After he calms the storm, He says to His disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" After reading this, my prayer was Jesus, give me the faith to believe that you can calm the storm - the physical storm, but also the storms in life. While sometimes, it may feel like you are on the cushion asleep in the boat, you are always there and will move at the appropriate time. May my faith be strong enough to really believe in the midst of the storm. 

I find it easy to read this story and think, how could the disciples have doubted when they were literally in His presence in the flesh?? Hadn't they seen enough miracles to believe He has the ability and power to do anything?? Yet, I'm reminded of the disciples humanity - that they were ordinary, every day men. And they still struggled with doubt and fear and lack of faith, just like us. And that gives me a sense of peace - that if the disciples weren't perfect, while being in His presence, then He definitely has grace for me too!

Then a couple of days later, in Mark 6:12-13, we read about this same group of disciples, and Jesus sent them out. "They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them." I've always read this and just accepted it, but I was thankful for my commentary calling to attention that it is crazy that it WORKED! The disciples - the group of fishermen and tax collectors and broken people; the same group that didn't have the faith to believe he could calm the storm- actually were able to heal and cast out demons. And it wasn't that they were magic. It was Jesus's powerful authority and willingness to use people. 

And then not to mention....reading the story of Jesus healing the demon-possessed man. And then Jesus healing Jarius's daughter and the woman with the bleeding disorder. And then feeding five thousand. And then walking on water. 

I mean, Mark keeps us ENGAGED! With his action packed gospel. I've been seeing new things about Jesus every morning - His acceptance of all. His welcoming of interruptions. His patience and compassion. His friendships with His disciples. His love for us.

There's so much. IT IS SO RICH! Ok that's enough! Go Jesus!