Circle of Family

On Sunday morning at my church I had a very emotional experiance and it has been on my mind ever since. After the sermon, the pastor asked for the congregation to form a circle around the santuary (chairs set up in the gymnasium). As we held hands, we prayed and sang in worship for God to strenghten our chruch body. As people prayed, I did something I don't normally do - I looked around. I looked at every person standing there, praying for them individually, and I was struck by a powerful sense of family. Every single person has effected me in one way or another in my time at the church. It is a family circle that I had often taken for granted, I have often complained about, but I am certainly going to miss. I pictured that circle with Peter and I stepped outside of it, it brought saddness but yet it felt right. I pictured God raising up South Meadows Community Church in the next few years. People becoming extreme worshipers of God. People going into the Community and praying until it hurts. Youth being set free. Youth leading youth. I was saddened that I am going to miss this great revival time, yet joyous that God has called us to move on for a reason. It puzzles me sometimes yet it causes me to trust in Him more. If He wants us to leave such a great place, then He must be leading us unward to something greater - causing our own circle of family to grow. For that I am thankful.