anyways, since this obviously is happening in Germany, I, once again, decided not to go :)
yesterday pictures were posted in a Dropbox so everyone could see them.
at first I didn't even recognize most of the "middle aged German people" ;)
it made me think.
I never felt I belonged or fit in, and don't get me wrong, I was well enough liked and ok ( at least that's what I remember )
yet I have not had any meaningful, if any at all, interaction with any of them, since the year we graduated and no desire whatsoever to make the trip to reconnect
nothing to do with the nice people over there... but most likely everything with me
sitting in church with a dear friend Sunday afternoon, taking part in the Celebration of Life of a sweet lady from my church, hearing all the wonderful things that were shared...
a life lived well representing Christ to her family, friends and Church family I once again marveled at how good God has been to me and how deeply in love I am with Him..
I have always been the black sheep, the odd one out in my family... I did feel that somehow I did not fit in with my surroundings..
when God through Jesus opened my eyes to who He is and who I am in Him and what His plan and purpose for my life really is, all this changed.
the sanctuary was filled with people whose lives had been touched by this wonderful woman of God and it made me think that between my new home of 3 1/2 half years in Michigan and my family of Christ in Canada I have also been blessed to have been woven into this colourful and special fabric of the family God has given me...
sharing what is the most important thing in our lives, our relationship with Christ makes for a deep connection like no other, and this is a wonderful truth
outward differences like nationality, upbringing, economical status, age, race or anything like that is just not that important at all..
I am amazed over and over again how God so expertly connects us, how we support and encourage and get supported and encouraged..
stirring one another up to a life of godliness is one magnificent purpose to have been given.
equipped with specific spiritual gifts He places us strategically where we can bless the most.
from walking alongside a hurting sister helping her work through a crisis to babysitting some little children, so the parents can go Christmas shopping... coming together as a group to celebrate a life lived well for Jesus and organizing women's events, taking flowers to a sick neighbour and spending hours praying for all those the Lord has put into one's life...
then, together we can reach out to those who are struggling in the world and with the compassion of Christ we can offer to them the hope that we have....
I must say I feel rich, richer than I ever thought I could be.
reflecting on yesterday's ceremony again I am hoping that when I have passed on to be in the presence of my Lord forever mine will also be a celebration of who He has been in and through me and He alone will get the glory!
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2: 4-5
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works
Hebrews 10:24
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5: 17-20
