Tonight, while driving home and talking about random things, it hit me that I’d almost missed this day. Over the past month or more I’ve spent some time reading back through old blog posts, marveling at the little and big things that I wrote about. Just like the quote from Kevin Hendricks in my “About” page, I wrote about some of the huge things, but there are others that I never captured at all. For example, I never wrote about the first time I went to house church.
But, two years ago today, I wrote about something that happened. I have no idea why I just knew that it was going to be a key thing, but God did.
“Everything seems to be leading to a crucial decision. Do I get my real estate license, sell a few houses, pay off my undergrad. loans so I can go to grad. school debt-free? Or do I follow my heart and passions, and free-lance, doing ministry and taking pictures, and maybe start a business taking pictures of houses for real estate agents to use on their websites, so that the houses actually are represented fairly in their pictures. Somehow, I can’t fathom getting my license and doing the other things. Maybe because I know that either A) I would quickly get back to the super-high-energy real estate personality I used to be, or B) it would take so much of my energy to run the business of selling (because it’s not my passion anymore) that I would be too drained. After I write it all out, the whole idea of even getting my license seems ridiculous. Maybe some of you will have insight to share.
Tonight, ah. Tonight I found myself in a group of people that truly made me feel at home. I left the parental misunderstanding that ministry, a life of service, and even money, is worlds away from what they know, and was myself, worshipping in my own way, talking ministry, photography, institutional church, crazy expensive buildings (look for that topic coming soon to a blog near you!), and so much more. I met new friends, and they remind me of the ones I left a week ago, and I can see that while I miss my friends so much, these new friends may be in my life to help me grow so much more in this season. I left with a huge smile on my face, and am so excited to get to know these people more, and serve side by side with them!
Abba, I praise You for opening doors and windows to creativity, and dreams, and new friendships, and Your creation, and Your children, and You turning the tables over on so much of institutional church. Thank You for knowing I’m not alone in my thoughts and showing me friends, both near and far, new and old who will dream with me and look toward the future! Amen.”
New friends “who will dream with me and look toward the future.” I can only shake my head in wonder at that prayer.
P.S. I’m also so grateful for the old friends that I’ve gotten to know so much more, and for the ways we help each other in life.
