Close Encounters

Where I encountered God this week…

• A man in shackles and facing the death penalty hugging and encouraging one of our elders, telling her everything is going to be ok and urging her to trust in God.
• Two men in prison uniforms and shackles embracing one another like long-lost friends when they realized they both have visitors on the same day, introducing each others’ visitors and letting everyone know community can still happen under the starkest, most unbelievable circumstances.
• A man moved to tears at the possibility of losing a dear friend and wondering what he’s going to do without him, knowing he is helpless and the only thing left is to turn to God.
• Endless inquiries as to what we can do to help a homeless man…and the many, many ways individuals reach out to include him and offer him not only help, but hospitality.
• A couple who loves to cook preparing a feast of goodness to share with any who show up and sending everyone off with plates and smiles.
• A room full of people who come together because they want to share faith and create community with those who visit our church.
• A child clasping his hands together and bowing his head when he heard someone say, “let us pray.”
• This same child saying to his mother, “this is my church.”
• Stories of members’ first visit to First Christian and how they were greeted, both recently and very long ago.
• Brilliant fall leaves fluttering in mild breezes and stunning sunsets across beautiful rolling hills.
• A video of my grandson sitting at an outdoor café eating his breakfast and waving to pedestrians as they walked by.
• My granddaughter’s smile and squeal of delight when she first saw me this morning.

We are surrounded everyday by large instances of amazement and small acts of love and kindness. Each of these instances reveals to us how God works in and through us each and every day. Jesus tells us in Luke 17:21 that the Kingdom of God is among us. These are just a few ways which I have witnessed that promise lately.

Where have you encountered God?

Blessings,
Tracy