we want to hear you...
We sat all snugly on the couch.Everything was normal,
we just finished a nice meal with all who had gathered and we were getting ready to "worship" together.
Ruth and Brian and Mac and Dylan led us,
expressing their beauty, their gift to God and to us.
i did my usual thing of listening and singing.
i really do understand the words and love all that they say.
i know what we sing to be true.
Sometimes i am even moved because i believe so deeply.
God is here. I know it. I just know it...
Then it happened.
It wasn't huge.
It wasn't earth-shattering.
But it was there... there was a change.
I sensed it in her.
She felt His presence.
I don't know what tipped me off.
Her voice didn't change.
Her posture didn't change.
But...
What was it?
Her spirit?
Something changed!
And i knew what it was.
God was sitting with her and she let Him.
If only for a moment, she was communing with Him...
***
***
It was Friday night we talked:
Horse Brass this week?
I dunno. Not sure what the purpose of it is.
Purpose? Does it have to have one?
Yeah, to build community or some shit like that.
What does that mean?
I don't really know.
I like it though.
I thrive on it.
I love the noise.
I like the beer.
I actually enjoy the smoke...(until i get home and realize my eyes are on fire and i stink!).
For me the whole scene fosters relationship.
It is different though. Different than a group of us sitting in someone's home and playing cards. Different than two of us going to a coffee shop together. Different than watching a movie with friends...
I like those settings too.
Saturday morning, Robin had a school project.
I slept in some and then got some things done.
When she came back we really connected.
I thank God for how close we have been the last couple of weeks.
Every touch,
every glance,
every word
feels like we are constantly making love.
Touched by her.
Touched by God.
Later...
Last minute.
We decided to go.
It happened there too.
Touched by God.
Again, in a way that is tangible for me:
Friendship.
Beer.
Conversation.
Companionship.
I love my bride. I love the way she talks to me. I love the way she talks to others. She is so amazing. Sometimes i like to just sit quietly and watch and listen...
Connections were made.
Similarities discovered.
differences understood.
-cough- -cough-
Time to go home.
We stayed later than normal.
I didn't want to leave.
At home we collapsed... as we slept, tangled, naked, in our bed we felt the closeness that has been building. Our prayers spoken out loud before we drifted off lead to a sleep-filled night of comfort... peace.
Sunday morning... pulling ourselves out of bed.
Feeling both excited and curious about what will happen at the meeting.
Community.
What is it?
Ideas shared.
Some differences given.
I learned though that we all want the same thing.
We are all longing for the same relationship.
A connection with God.
Can a pint get me there?
Can a pitcher?
We have these relationships. This community. These friendships that are growing:
Friday, Robin and i really connected in a conversation we had about community but also about us and how i want to be hers and have her as my companion.
God was there with us.
Saturday - that continued. Robin and i went there as companions and added to that the relationships we foster at the Horse Brass. More connection, more community.
God was there with us
Sunday morning - All of that continued. Add to those relationships, the community we have, the discussion of what community means. What it means specifically for us. What is the purpose? What does this community do?
God was there with us.
Sunday afternoon - Bob. Our neighbor. We love him. He loves us. Topics came up. We shared about our church. Robin shared some of her burdens. He prayed. We cried together. Again, connection, community.
God was there with us.
Sunday evening - ALL OF THAT continued. Relationships. Connection. Community. Some of those who we have been building these relationships with lead us in worship.
Because of the vulnerability that we have developed in our friendships.
Because of the trust built into that.
Robin was lead right into the Father's lap.
For the first time she felt she was doing more than just singing songs.
She felt as though she was truly worshipping him.
God was right there with us.
Robin was somehow lead to acknowledge Him and to bask in His pressence.
Isn't that what this "community" thing is all about?
Each of us
gathered around each other
enjoying each other
leaning on each other
carying each other
talking
drinking
laughing
crying
praying
leading each other to Him.
So there she was. With Him.
On the way home she told me how the message Kevin shared effected her and how the prayers of those around us meant so much to her.
She knew i sensed it.
She knew i believed.
But she also knew i wasn't there.
She wanted to share it with me.
She wanted to stay there too.
We talked about how to make that happen.
Formulas and postures...
She asked, "If i ask you to do something with me will you promise to not think it is weird?"
I love those kinds of questions.
What if it really is weird?
For the next hour and a half we sat, naked on the floor with blankets and pillows. Candles lit all around us. We held each other, prayed, sang and cried.
I believe He heard us.
I long to hear Him.
He still remains mysterious to me.
I am content, though, to
experience Him
through the tangibleness of
my bride,
my friends,
my community.
posted by David @ 9:45 AM
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