Living In a Gift

Sometimes I wonder whether living in a gift is really possible. Tonight, however, I got a taste of what it feels like. I should start off by saying that I absolutely love my church. It isn't perfect, but it is an icon of good things fulfilled and good things to come.

A couple from my church hosted an "Epiphany dinner" this evening, which actually turned out to be a gathering of most of the younger than 35-somethings in our community. The night was lovely, from start to finish. The couple hosting the evening was extremely gracious, welcoming, and friendly and all of the guests were inviting, intentional, and relaxed. In the easiest way to explain it possible, i'll just say that the evening was a gift and as a participant in this dinner I was able to live in this gift.

This was a really hard day for me, and I left work wondering if I could even bring myself to go out and spend time with a group of people. However, I knew before I even went that the gathering would be lovely-I could sense it-and so I went. Praise God! It was a blessing to be around these people, to taste their food, hear their jokes, and sense their attentiveness to others and vibrance for life. As I sat back listening to Modest Mouse playing in the background enjoying a glass of white wine in the midst of conversation, I was reminded that even in a world where pain, brokenness, and despair exist, true goodness and beauty exist too. Sometimes the hardness of the world can leave us jaded and lead us towards despair, but joy is also possible. In the midst of good community, I was made to feel more alive. I'm thankful for the gift, and look forward expectantly to more to come.