First Thursdays

Thursday I had a goal...

Thursday night was the start of something new at Community of Faith called First Thursdays. The first Thursday of each month we will be having a time dedicated to praise and prayer. Last night was the first such service, and I was determined to be there.

So, all day long I rested (ugh!), took my pain meds, ate, drank fluids, and kept resting. My goal was to have the strength and energy to be able to attend this service in the evening. God has done so much for me in the past three months, and even in just the past week, that I desperately wanted to be there to praise His name and tell everyone how good He is. 

Actually getting dressed in something other than pajamas and making myself  presentable took quite a bit of energy! I was nervous about "Betty" - what if she leaks, what if she "speaks"??? - I sat down in the bathroom at 6:40, looked up at Mark, and wondered out loud if I was doing the right thing. Maybe I should just climb back into bed...

At 6:45, with Mark's encouragement, I hopped (or slowly lowered) myself into the car and we headed to COF. We parked right by the back door, dodged the rain, and went inside. It was the most awesome feeling ever, I was home!

We were greeted with cheers, giant smiles, and gentle hugs by the worship team in the green room. I shuffled down to Mark's office and collapsed in a chair. My back was hurting, I felt winded. But I was there. I was going to praise God for His goodness with my COF family. These are the people who have prayed for me since May; the people who have cried with me and cheered me on; the people who have encouraged me with their words, their smiles, their notes, and their gifts. These people are my family. 

The music started and Mark and I made our way out to the front row of chairs. My heart was full of gratitude to my God - The God who has listened and answered, the God who has been present with me every second of this journey. The God of the universe who humbles Himself to walk with me each day. There are no words really to express what I feel. With a smile on my face, I start to sing and clap my hands. Before long I am out of breath (singing requires a lot of work of the stomach muscles and mine are still recovering!) so I just stand there letting the praise of God's people wash over me. How good it is to be in the house of the Lord!

Mark welcomes the people of COF to First Thursday and he gives me the opportunity to share with them the good pathology report we received this week, and our gratitude for their faithful prayers. Everyone is standing, clapping, and cheering. I know they love me, and I hope they see how much I love them, how much I love God, and how much He loves each one of them. He is good.

Later, Donald reads from Psalm 34:1-8, the very verses I had been reading in the morning:

"I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!"

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me! The Lord is good! Thank you, God, for an awesome night with you and with my COF family!