sunday snapshot

Here's what I saw when no one knew I looked, when the noise kept swirling and circulating and my silence slipped by without notice:

--A dozen men who gathered around Ed, laid hands on him, and prayed for all the expected things before surgery--peace, a settling of heartbeats, precision, clear eyes, fast recovery.

--Elaina greeting Katrisha with a hug just before both turned their hearts back toward worship.

--Laughing toddlers.

--Scotty claiming a quiet space in the crowd so that he could turn his eyes and his smile toward his infant nephew.

--Brothers shaking awkwardness after a clash of iron against iron, remembering grace, and Jesus, and the need for a fresh start.

--A cluster of women bubbling over with fondness for one another.

--A head bowed over an open Bible.

--Family.

--Love.

--Joy.

I am so grateful that I don't walk this path alone, but have the gift of this big, lovely, loving family to walk with. Just one more gift that draws my eyes upward and "thank You" from my lips.

Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. ~Acts 2:44-47 (NASB)

And let us be moving one another at all times to love and good works; not giving up our meetings, as is the way of some, but keeping one another strong in faith; and all the more because you see the day coming near. ~Hebrews 10:24-25 (BEB)