You Did Alright, Kid.

On one of our older game systems, Sega Dreamcast, we have this fishing game with a fishing-rod-shaped controller to go with it. I thought that it would be fun if I were to teach the little children my mother watches how to play it, and so I did. After lunch today, they all took turns catching fish, and when Kayleigh's turn came around, she caught a fish that got away due to her little hands' inability reel the fish in quickly enough. The line was still in the water, so I told her to continue her turn until she caught something or until she had reeled the line in all the way. I walked into the kitchen to begin making my lunch, and about 30 seconds later, this GIANT uproar came from the children in the living room. I can't even begin to tell you how loud it was. I walked back into the living room to find all of the kids exclaiming, "Kayleigh caught a fish! She reeled it in all by herself!" Kayleigh was jumping up and down screaming, "I got one! I got one!" I don't remember how much the fish weighed, but it hardly mattered. She had caught her first virtual fish. Everyone, including my mother, my sister, and I, was ecstatic for her.

 I realized so many things in that moment. One of the things I realized was that joy comes in the strangest of ways. To see a group of 2-7 year-olds jumping up and down with joy because one of their friends had accomplished what most people would consider such an insignificant task was absolutely breathtaking. It was such a surreal moment. I looked over at Kayleigh's face and she was just glowing with excitement. More than that, I really don't think I have ever so fully realized what a blessing God has made children, nor have I ever so closely understood the depth of God's love for them. Regardless of their ever-present ill-behavior, they are still so innocent, and knowing that gives me great joy.

God opened my eyes today.

Not Dead

Today I listened to a sermon in the car on Shine.FM. Jon Nance was leading worship.

The sermon was about the Holy Spirit. The pastor was giving an example of a man whose wife had prayed for decades that he would come to know Christ. One Sunday, after years of excuses, he voluntarily decided to go to church with her. He went with her again on the next Sunday, and also on the Sundays to follow. Six months (or six weeks- I can't remember which it was) later, he surrendered His life to Christ.

Decades. She had prayed for him for decades. What faith.

I think about the people for whom I pray. I cry out for them daily. I ask God to forgive their rejection of Him. I want them to know Christ so badly.

I wonder if I can wait for decades. I feel as though I cannot. The thought of it is absolutely heart-wrenching to me.

I don't want to have to wait for decades.

God loves these people far greater than I can even think to love them. That they continuously reject Him is far more painful for Him than it is for me.

Yet, He continuously pursues them.

He continues to have patience with them. He continues to want people to intercede for them.

And so I will.

Even if it takes decades.

This is why I firmly believe that love is a nightmare. A beautiful nightmare.

This is the first non-emo/non-depressing entry I've written in a while. Let's see if I can keep it that way.

I'm feeling songful.

He Has Paid Your Ransom

Bearing Your burden.

Pain.

Our voices raised-- with outstretched arms,

We are wounded;

And crawling after You.

We have scrapped our knees upon the rocks-

Our hands are pierced as with swords.

Our flesh tears; still we find the strength to stand.

Our last.

Rising up to You, God.

Our voices grow hoarse. We are straining so that our veins show through.

Blood vessels burst. We are singing.

This is the end.

People praising God

In agony.

In awe.

In love.

For Your Name's sake.

What a beautiful noise

To go out singing

Praises to our God.

And then there is that old man.

--

He lies upon his mat.

Wasted away; no more can be done to help him.

Death is near-

So close that he can taste it.

He licks his lips as his saliva runs dry.

From those same broken lips he sings praises to his God.

He breathes Your Name as he breathes his last.

To die in worship- with hands outstretched.

He cries, "Glorious!"

The people around him watch.

His voice grows louder as tears roll down his face--

"Glorious!"

The tears of one who has seen beauty.

"Glorious!"

Someone is echoing.

"Glorious!"

The people around him join in singing. They lift up their hands. They fall to their knees. Suddenly they know You. Suddenly they have seen You.

"Glorious!"

The old man begins to pass;

In the midst of worship.

He lets out a gasp as his lungs and brain search desperately for oxygen.

A sound proceeds his final breath. His last exhale is similar to the sound of his cries of, "Glorious."

And the people praised God.

This is the song that my heart sings, but you cannot hear its sound.

May the people of this world realize that God has paid their ransom--

That they should seek Your face, O God; that they would know Your Name.