I recently found myself in Virginia for the month of January, 2007. It was such a blessing to be with my sister and her family day in and day out but I was just a visitor and realized that there was something missing. I had been helping them find a church home but the one that we visited seemed cold and not the right fit after all.
After a couple of weeks I met up with a new friend, Kathy who is the pastors wife at Harvest in Reston there. My Sister and I took the children on a Sunday and just being in the sanctuary singing praise songs to the Lord I started to feel something wet cascade down my cheeks. Those tears were so very cleansing deep into my soul. The warmth that permeated from each and everyone attending that church helped me to feel something that I had been missing.
I treasure the people at that church for their hearts, welcoming spirits and transparency. I hope and pray that I would be filled with God so much so that I could convey those great qualities to others when they really need it. I hope to share God’s love and grace and most of all acceptance every place God takes me.
I am constantly reminded that the church, our church and every church is filled with broken people just like those people in the world. Instead of expecting everyone to be perfect and without need I hope to walk into churches everywhere to find people hurting, and broken because only then will we be unified in Christ and long for healing.