My Family

Today's the day. The last day of church services at my church in Lawrence, Antioch Community Church. For the last two years, Antioch has been so much to me. It's been my home away from home, my community, my family. Antioch has been one of the few things in college that remains constant through the numerous changes that come with being a college student, and after tonight, I think that all of that will be over.
However, instead of sulking over what is no longer and dwelling on the former things, I am choosing now to reflect on some of the blessings that have come with being apart of such a deep and lively community... Here are those blessings:
1. I've learned what it means to love my neighbor, to embrace the body of Christ, and to honor and bless those that hurt me--intentionally or unintentionally. This has been and continues to be a huge challenge being in this community, but it's taught me so much of what is near to God's heart and what it looks like to really truly deeply love people. And that really isn't always easy.
2. I've learned the importance of discipleship, community, and walking with people who love Jesus towards the Father with transparency and vulnerability. Again, this has not been an easy thing to learn, but it's been SO GOOD for my spiritual and emotional health! It's helped me to see God from the perspectives of many different people and to hear the hearts of others for the Lord and for the desires that he's given them!
3. I've learned  of God's immense love for every single person on this earth. I've learned that God has chosen people to receive Christ and that, although he's chosen people, not everyone wants to receive him. In addition, I've also learned the importance of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people regardless of whether or not they wish to receive his free gift of salvation.

I've learned so much by being part of this community, and I've been able to let down my guard to be freely who I am called to be. I've found a family that loves me and loves Jesus and spurs me on to doing good works and encourages and challenges me to be even more the woman that God created me to be. *HEAVY SIGHS*

And now it's over. In some sense, it's over.


But the Lord is good and he is faithful. And although he causes grief, he has compassion. He comforts us in all of our afflictions. He causes these broken bones to rejoice in his name. And he works literally everything out for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes.
He is sovereign.
He gives and takes away.

And he is good. I will bless his name because he is the only constant in my life.