Maundy Thursday

I've never really attended a church before now that followed the litrugical calendar.  I've never really been to the extra services around Easter, except maybe a sunrise service.  Tonight, I had the privelege of participating in a Maundy Thursday service at my church.  What a beautiful time to reflect on the days before the crucifixion of Jesus. 

The minister spoke about the Last Supper, and how Jesus washed the feet of His disciples that night.  I've always heard this story with the focus being on the supper, but tonight there was a different spin to it.  She talked more about Jesus washing the disciples' feet.  Now, anyone who knows me very well knows that I hate feet.  They totally gross me out.  So, I was a little uncomfortable when I realized that was where the sermon was heading!

Anytime that I've ever heard this story, it's always focused on how we should be like Christ, and we should humble ourselves and serve others.  And that is a very good thing, and a very important thing.  Tonights sermon though, was focused on letting Jesus wash our feet.  Letting Him cleanse us so that we can be used for him.  Our feet take us down the narrow way.  Our feet take us to others who need to be reached by Jesus' love. 

It is a humbling thought to think about letting Jesus wash our feet.  That is not a pretty part of our bodies.  That is not generally somewhere we want people touching.  As someone who is grossed out by feet, it is very hard and very humbling to think about anyone washing my feet, but especially Jesus. 

I pray that I will let Jesus cleanse those darkest, ugliest parts of me so that I can be used more fully by Him to love people. 

Thank you Lord, for the opportunity to come together and remember the beautiful sacrifice that You became for us.

Changes

This is gonna be a year of changes, I can feel it.  I'm gonna be moved (well, probably more like pushed, shoved, and probably dragged) right out of my happy little comfort zone.  I know that it will be for my good, but oh man, it's rough while it's happening....

There's excitement too, though, thinking about the future, and what it holds.  I know from past experiences that when I finally move, great things happen. 

I think I have finally started on my pathway to finding freedom.  I've been wanting to start this path for oh so long, but have been scared, or not sure how or where to start.  But I think I've found it.  It's gonna happen this time. 

One of my favorite songs right now is Gungor's "Beautiful Things".  This is my story.  I don't feel beautiful right now, but I know that God can turn my mess & my ashes in beauty.

"Beautiful Things"

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

You make me new, You are making me new
You make me new, You are making me new

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us