An Ode to the People Who Build my Faith

"...if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

I have traveled around the globe
My heart has attached to people and abodes. 
Not at first, my quickness to place roots is that of a sloth, 
But though I be slow, eventually my heart wraps around it all. 
Then my passion sinks deep down to my bones,
and I wonder how people ever manage life alone.
In community I have seen Christ glow, 
In surrendering my private life, letting others off the hook,
There is created a space to allow Jesus to change my perspective,
Reaping the result of courage and a mission to let my life be effective. 

To the people that have defined and refined my journey, 
Especially the one who has traveled each nook and cranny, 
You, I admire you for being patient, steady, and kind--
Faithful and loyal, constantly seeking connection. 
We dream and we hope and we wait on the Lord for our vision,
Because you have chosen Christ over worldly possession. 
Even in disappointment and struggle, you keep choosing me to not live without. 
But what ties us most closely together is our shared faith and experiences,
With people and places that have twined our roots together,
Nobody quite gets us like we do each other. 

To my fellow sojourners on this path of faith and womanhood, 
​God just knew I would be one who loves neighborhoods. 
I realize my intensity may sometimes be intimidating,
Unintentionally, I put off an impression that I have it all together. 
But some of you have chosen to answer my invitation to seek below my demeanor, 
Some of you yesterday, others today, have been my encourager. 
Not just in the places I have been, but the place I am now,
The sovereignty of God is tangible in the brows 
Of the ones He has placed near, to walk alongside. 
Giving, receiving, waiting, believing that in each moment and word each helps me to in Christ abide.  

To my savior who meets me each morning 
And gives me the strength to push on toward glory, 
Thank you for using others' words to help me see You see me here,
For teaching me my needs can be met anywhere you are. 
Thank you Holy Spirit for setting me free from numbness and loss 
And helping me grasp goodness in the both times of stability and crumbling, because of the cross.
Thank you God for your pursuit of me when I wanted to ignore
That you are just and true and kind, even when I cannot see 
You are building my faith, equipping me through relationships and experiences lined up uniquely for me. 

IF:Table July 2014