Tonight's service was so great! Well, actually it is always great (I mean how can it not be great when your in the very presence of God?!), but it was so encouraging for Gus and me. During the worship/prayer time a group of our Gravity people (that's our college/career ministry) gathered around us and said they felt led to pray over us. About 5-6 gathered really close, laid their hands on our shoulders and begin speaking words that brought me to tears. I could not believe the things they were saying. I actually thought, "Are they really talking about me?" They were thanking God for putting us in their lives (which is funny cause I always thank Him for putting me in theirs), thanking him for all we had done for them, and just going on and on. I was humbled, which is not unusual around such awesome people, and I began to thank God for what he has done in and through me. If anyone sees anything good out of me it is because of HIM. If I do anything good for anyone else it is because of HIM and what HE has done for me. HE has made me everything I am and continues to use me despite my many faults and shortcomings! It was a very touching moment.
Later I was able to talk to one of our students about a lot of stuff she is struggling with and all that's going on in her life. In situations like this I always think, "OK God you are going to have to help me out because I really don't know what to do or say." I just listened to her and shared some of the same struggles I have had. She then gave me one of the greatest compliments I have ever received. She said, "You are just so real!" I guess I am, NOW. I've done the fake stuff. I've put on a smile and told everyone it will be okay and no big deal. "Just walk in faith" I would say even though I found it difficult doing this myself. It is hard when people expect you to always have it together and to always have the answer. I really struggled with this in the past, and it continues to snare me sometimes. However the past year I have felt such a freedom to just be "real". That is what people want more than anything: from themselves and from others. It is also what God wants from us! Faking it only brings more grief and guilt.
God reminded me again tonight what a privilege it is to serve Him and to be called to love and "be real" with these students of Gravity!
Later I was able to talk to one of our students about a lot of stuff she is struggling with and all that's going on in her life. In situations like this I always think, "OK God you are going to have to help me out because I really don't know what to do or say." I just listened to her and shared some of the same struggles I have had. She then gave me one of the greatest compliments I have ever received. She said, "You are just so real!" I guess I am, NOW. I've done the fake stuff. I've put on a smile and told everyone it will be okay and no big deal. "Just walk in faith" I would say even though I found it difficult doing this myself. It is hard when people expect you to always have it together and to always have the answer. I really struggled with this in the past, and it continues to snare me sometimes. However the past year I have felt such a freedom to just be "real". That is what people want more than anything: from themselves and from others. It is also what God wants from us! Faking it only brings more grief and guilt.
God reminded me again tonight what a privilege it is to serve Him and to be called to love and "be real" with these students of Gravity!
And just to make you smile I added this pic! It is my very favorite of Elias! Man, this kid is cute!
1 comment:
That is so awesome Laura!!! We didn't make it out to Sunday nights service. Sometimes it's so hard to just keep it real with God. We fold him up and put him in our back pocket and only bring him out whenever we need or want something. We all are struggling spiritually, well, me atleast, but those gravity kids are so blessed to have wonderful people like you in their lives to help them along the way!! You guys are a great blessing!
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