God-seeker {lesson 1}

it's amazing how the last few years have played out

God has had me on a treasure hunt, of sorts.
i found myself, hurting because of circumstances in the small group i was in
searching for a place to remain anonymous

and what i found instead, was that Jehovah "Sneaky"
was setting into motion a years-long course
in how to find Him

i grew up in one denomination, found faith in another, and deepened my relationship in yet another

yet i was still pretty sure i had Him figured out.

but this longing for familiarity while being anonymous
led me to Mass
in an unfamiliar place
with unfamiliar people...

...except, they weren't unfamiliar at all
here i began to connect quite unintentionally
with people i learned lived a few doors down from me
and others who i would have never imagined i had things in common with

it's one of my gifts, really
connecting with people from varied backgrounds, ages, race
God has placed in me an innate curiosity
and so i am genuinely interested in their lives
therefore, relationship is formed

so when i say i unintentionally connected
that is the truth

but that wasn't the only thing
this unfamiliar place
this Church that i had always seen as mysterious and untouchable somehow
became a new sanctuary
where He taught me
through the homilies i listened to
and the sacredness
reverence
of the service
that He is never changing
and i found a comfort
in the familiarity
and a sense
that yes, He is there

and i learned it over and over
through the kneeling and rising
the rhythm of the service
the goosebumps of awe each time the elements were consecrated
the humility and wonder of the Holiest of Holy days

i drank it in
drank Him in
this side of Him i'd never seen
never noticed before

through it all i continued going to the church i called home
but visited often
and then suddenly
i felt Him say this season was over

lesson one was complete

(to be continued)