Happy Monday! This past weekend was a memorable one.
Friday night started with dinner at J’s parent’s house, where I enjoyed that marvel of an ice cream slice you see. Chocolate, strawberry, and mint chocolate chip, how can you say no?
Ran [with my best friend] my first organized 5k since high school. It was in support of a friend, and the Augusta FCA, and it felt good! Praise Him.
After the race, J and I hit the road for Statesboro, to celebrate with my Connection Church family the first Sunday in their [first] permanent facility. We decided to be adventurous (not surprising) and stay in a local inn, and spent a little time relaxing in the beautiful day, making me long for springtime.
Dinner Saturday night was with friends who are family to me now, and throughout the entire night I found myself thanking the Lord for the gift of friendships like these. Friendships that withstand distance and change.
Then there’s the church. A church six years old. A church imprinted on my life’s story. A church that loves Jesus. A church to which I write the below thoughts….
Dear Connection Church,
You were my church home during my college years. You were a place I worshipped Jesus, a place I served, a place I invested a good deal of time. You were a place where I got to flex my creative muscles, where I was given the opportunity to contribute. You were a season in which I grew and learned and changed — into the person I am today. Within your walls, on Sunday mornings and during the week designing, I struggled, I spoke up, I was challenged, I rejoiced, I matured, I laughed, I cried.
With you came amazing relationships, friendships I will treasure always. With you came moments of trial, moments of joy, moments of honesty, and wisdom, moments of leadership, moments of humility, plenty of imperfection, and always — God gave grace.
You will always hold a special place in my heart, and I know I’ll be back often. The people who make up your body are very dear to me, special in a variety of ways. Watching them grow and mature as people, walking with them through scripture and stressful days, confiding in them vulnerable places of my own.
Whenever I tell my story, Connection Church will be mentioned. God is faithful, and good and my being so involved with this Church is a gift. I continually pray for you — for the people who come through your doors, for your leadership, for the decisions you will make, for the situations you will walk through.
The best is yet to come; to God be the glory.
Thanks for sharing this great letter! I loved growing up in a church! And it is not that is was specifically because of the building it is because of the sense of family and the presence of God! Being surrounded by all the family and friends of the church is great for support and to have fun in a supportive environment! Hope the rest of your week goes great and congratulations on completing your first 5K in a while!