Thankful

Tonight, we had our pre-Thanksgiving celebration at my small group. We did that traditional practice of sharing what we are thankful for, but tonight it was so much more profound than anything I've experienced in the past. Maybe it's because we are a group of many cultures and backgrounds discovering the ways God is the same all over the world. Maybe it's because of the sweetness of being relatively new to each other but still feeling so much like family. Everyone opened a little bit of their hearts in what they chose to share, beyond the perfunctory answers you usually hear.

I felt rare tears welling up in my eyes as I listened to a Burmese refugee talk about how thankful he is that God is never late to rescue and provide, which means much more to someone who has had to flee without the assurance that they or their families will make it across the waters. I was touched by a survivor of the Rwandan genocide as he thanked God for life, something so precious to those who have lived through unspeakable tragedy, PUSHing (what he calls "praying until something happens") and seeing the faithfulness of God.

It is such an unmatched blessing to get a glimpse into the amazing ways of God and how he is at work, to be a part of a community whose faith is such a challenge and an inspiration. These are the moments that change you and remind you who it is that has chosen you.