interruptions

I will resume with our European adventures after this brief interruption. I know you are all so very eager to hear a very detailed recap of our trip.

So this morning and on our flight home last night, we reflected on this past month. We went into May eager to have events outside of SLC and the norm to give us a break from our frustrations, disappointments, sadness, and apathy. Of course, the vacation and most recently, the return to Colorado for a dear friend's wedding provided a much needed reprieve, I can't deny there is a bigger force at work than being well rested. I read this this morning. I think it somewhat helps me see the grander picture of God's work at hand.

From the very beginning of God's movement in the world, God has been interrupting people with his love- disturbing our false peace in order to make real peace possible. Jesus drives a wedge in the status quo to create space for something new. If we have ears to hear, the invitation is open for each of us; come and be part of the beloved community that God makes possible in Jesus Christ.

-Welcoming Justice by Charles Marsh & John Perkins

We were able to talk through a lot of our issues with Colorado friends and each other over the past few weeks.  I am so thankful for their love and wisdom in our lives. We'd definitely fallen into a trap of placing ourselves in the center of our universe, creating and desiring a false sense of peace, security, and purpose. Even though life changes, we can see these changes and interruptions has blessings because God is ultimately in control and uses them to sanctify us.

We landed back in SLC yesterday eager to jump back in to the messy uncertain future before us, letting go of our fears and desire to control everything. We want to see the messiness as a sign God has a plan for us here. Our own internal messiness and the mess around us can and will be made new one day. There is plenty of redemptive work to be done at hand. Our hearts feel joyful and renewed. We are so very grateful for a month of introspection, encouragement, and wisdom discovered and shared. We realized SLC is different for us than it was before. Of course we mourn the absence of dear friends in our community but for the first time in a long time we feel ready to try, hope, and give. 

I know we need God's love to sustain us as we go forward. So very thankful this love is immeasurable, freely given, and unfailing.

and of course, a HUGE congratulations to Eric and Sarah, we could not be happier for your marriage!