Be Present

Imagine Jesus crucified in your arms and on your chest, and say a hundred times as you kiss His chest, “This is my hope, the living source of my happiness; this is the heart of my soul; nothing will ever separate me from His love.”

Pio of Pietrelcina

On Maundy Thursday my team and I went to a catholic service in the Church of Nativity (where Jesus was born). Taking part in communion and listening to a language I couldn’t understand made me appreciate in that very moment that no matter what language we are worshiping in, it will always be beautiful because we are singing to the Lord.

Good Friday we “attempted” at cooking our host family an American meal. It was a joy to be able to watch their faces light up as they tried our food. One of the dishes I made, my host family decided to rename cheesy potatoes to “American Lasagna.” I found it funny that they wanted to name it a pasta dish. Watching my host brother smile after trying his first ever PB&J sandwich was something I will never forget. Later that night we did karaoke with my host sisters. From belting out Disney hits, to Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and ending with worship hymns. My host sister would sing a song in Arabic while we would sing in English. It was beautiful to be able to listen to our two languages come together in worship to God.. and how even more beautiful it must of been to God’s ears.

Saturday we had dinner with our other family in Aida Camp and their extended family. Meeting my host family’s aunts, uncles, cousins and some of their children made my heart full. Sitting around a table with many Muslim woman of all ages was a moment I will never forget. At the beginning of this trip I was so frustrated with the language barrier and how I was unable to communicate with the people God had placed in front of me. But now looking back on Saturday, I realized just sitting there and being with these beautiful woman was enough. God doesn’t always call us in action to speak with our words, sometimes He just wants us to sit and be present.

Then yesterday for Easter we went into Jerusalem and we had a church service at The Garden Tomb. When we sung, “See What a Morning” the lyrics, “With the dawning of hope in Jerusalem. And we are raised with Him. Death is dead, love has won, Christ has conquered..” All I can say for that moment, my heart was full of gratitude. It’s a little sad but I don’t think I will fully understand the appreciation of the experience I had yesterday until I’m back home. It’s like one of those experiences you never imagined yourself having, and then you have it, but it’s not until later you realize how cool it was!

As God has tremendously shown me this past weekend of His love of being present, I challenge you to find the little moments of where God shows up to you this week. Pray for wisdom to know the times He’s asking you to speak and to know the times He’s asking you to just sit and be present where you are.

Caili