By Marci Fish
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October 17, 2015
What I saw in church today... I saw my beautiful 92 year old friend, with three other friends..all heroes, in the prayer room praying before anyone else got there. I saw my purple & blue hair teenage friends already up front waiting for worship to start. I scooped up one of my favorite toddlers as his chubby little hand shot up in worship at the first sound of music, and his chubby little legs danced wildly. I saw brave, beautiful women who are now free from abusive relation ships, some narrowly escaped death. I saw young children worshipping unprompted, Babies who were conceived in very difficult circumstances worshipping with their mamas, "Millennials" leading us in worship, A high school girl got baptized and tears streamed down her face as God sweetly loved on her, Men on their knees pouring their hearts out to God, standing up with fresh grace & strength, People lovingly praying for each other, People laughing and enjoying each other, The bass player lost in worship, A married couple arm in arm who years before, as they literally threw things at each other, made the painful, beautiful decision to stay together, Friends who are moving on from a marriage that didn't make it, People whose lives were almost destroyed by addictions, now healthy & free, People still struggling to find that freedom. My beautiful friend who lost her husband to cancer even tho we prayed our hearts out, The man who was healed of cancer happily helping people find seats, People in need of a miracle today. I saw it all there together.. sorrow, joy, hope, disappointment, faith, disillusionment, questions, beliefs, grief & gratefulness. And there was God, taking it all in His arms. I saw a real God loving on real people. I saw real people loving on each other. I'm a pastor & I didn't want to come to church today....I'm glad I did.