Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Overwhelmed !

I haven't written anything in over a year but today I feel led by the spirit to put some of my thoughts down on this page...
From the title of this post you might be thinking I am worn down, stressed out or even burned out.  Well let me assure you that couldn't be further than the truth.  Today I write this blog feeling overwhelmed by both the love and joy in my life and the love and support  I have witnessed around me in the past few days. 

First and foremost the love of my wife and children is truly a gift from God.  That He would have given me the opportunity to meet and marry my unbelievable wife still blows me away.  He could of stopped there but he also blessed us with two incredible children that He created and knitted personally to do amazing things in this world.  I am truly overwhelmed by His effort and love for me and my family!  That he never gives up on me and is always beside me even in those times when I am not very good company.  Thank you God for your overwhelming love and gift of grace.

Next let me tell you about what I have bee a part of this week in our town of Mahomet.  It has been incredible seeing God work through so many people the last few day,  it has truly been humbling.  Watching people letting God's love shine through them and witnessing the power of God's love in action never gets old and never ceases to amaze me (Thank you Jesus!).   All around me I have seen an outpouring of love and support in the midst of tragedy in this community. Starting with the volunteers who fought the apartment fire in terribly cold and windy conditions.  The local emergency response team who got to the site so quickly and the tireless efforts of the people working with the American Red Cross. The amount of community members I have talked with this week who are just wanting to help the families who lost all their possessions in the  fire continues to make my heart smile.  Mahomet and its public leaders, school leaders, church leaders have put all things aside to focus on one thing...helping those affected, those who are hurting, scared and unsure of what to do next.  The amount of phone calls, emails, and people just stopping by the church to drop things off to give to these families blows me away.  All of these factors added together is why I love living in Mahomet.  Now don't misunderstand me, we're not "Pleasantville"  and we have our issues but they are FAR outweighed by the sense of community I continue to witness day end and day out.  Mahomet is truly the best "little" BIG town around!

Finally, the love and support I receive from the congregation and leaders of Mahomet Christian Church is second to none.  I have always been thankful for this extended family in my life especially for their teaching and guidance as I grew up in this church.  Now I am even more thankful as a youth minister that they support all of the craziness that comes along with having me as a staff member.  They have such a desire to be Jesus to our community I didn't even have to hesitate with my answer of YES! when the Red Cross asked me if they could use the church as a shelter.  I know the leaders and congregation felt as I do that the church building belongs to God and if someone is in need that's what the church is therefore not to just be a building for Sunday Worship.  Its great to be a part of this family.  Oh we are not the only church that would have done this and that is another great part of our community of Mahomet.  And we are not a family of perfect and sinless people but we are a family and we truly desire to work together to reach the people of our community with the LOVE of Jesus.  That's a great church to be apart of and that's the type of church I believe God expects us all to be!

So maybe now you can see why my heart is feeling OVERWHLEMED...overwhelmed with love and joy!  So let me say in closing for this feeling of wonderful overwhelmness (my word)THANK YOU, to the community of Mahomet, Thank YOU to the family of Mahomet Christian Church, THANK YOU to my beautiful wife and wonderful children and most importantly THANK YOU God !