with thanksgiving and joy.....and psalm 145

this last wednesday night i had the privilege of helping to make thankgiving dinner for my church family. while preparing the food, i thought back on all the wonderful and yes, sad memories in which they have been a part of my life. prayers, healing, singing, laughter, sadness, tears of joy and tears of pain and hurt. they have been and will forever be a church family that i am so thankful for. each one has a special place in my heart where they have touched my life. god has so graciously allowed me into his family, and they have done the same. i don't deserve it, i didn't earn it, i didn't buy into it...it was free. free love and acceptance from everyone. listening and watching them eat turkey and gravy, i experienced the joy of family. it was like looking in on my children, talking laughing, sharing, noisy kids, screams of laughter, " more mommy, i want more".

"more lord, i want more of you. more of your unconditional love, grace, and mercy for all the days of my life. i don't have to do anything for it except ask your forgiveness and to love you with all my heart in return."

we started this year in hurt, betrayal and anger. in the months that have followed we have been reminded of the truth...freedom in christ. such a simple concept, yet so unimaginable that we could really be free in him. this is the joy that comes in the morning, when the pain in the night has passed. this year i am thankful for my freedom in christ, and everything that comes with it. thank you lord for my freedom and my "family". i am going to find another church body, but none will ever be so close to my heart as this one has.

i left before the singing started, but sasha recorded the guys singing one of may favorite songs, psalms 145. i don't know how to post directly to this blog, but this should take you to it.

"the lord is gracious and slow to anger, he is rich in love, he is good to all"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHXY-B5ZWng&feature=email