A simple little church, in a simple tiny town. If I ever doubted that God chose me and had a plan specifically for me all I need to do is look at this little church, set perfectly in place. Here in this town where it seems life would be easy, peaceful and serene. A place where sin ran abundant. It never occured to a child of 10 that there was danger all around. In this little town where the entire school consisted of only 16 students within 7 grades. How much wrong could there possibly be, right? It seems life's lessons are learned early on. By the time I was 10 I lived around drunks, child molestors, child abusers, homosexuals, thiefs, drug addicts, pornography, gang members, teen pregnancies, bankruptcy, and the list continues. The education I received about life happend right here, nestled between the mountains overlooking one small church.

Every day I looked at this church and wondered if God existed why am I surrounded by this? God seemed like some huge being that existed far out of reach for me or anyone here. He couldn't possibly care about a lost world. It almost felt like I was living on the land of misfits and we would never be wanted by a perfect, holy, loving God. We did not belong in his world as we were all so full of sin. Understand I had no teaching about God or his word or any of that. I believed in God, that he existed. That was about as deep as my knowledge went. What I didn't know, was that God was right there with me. He saw everything and much more that I did not. He saw the thoughts and hearts of man. He knew the evil that existed and I believe he shielded me from so much more.

As I look at this church, it symbolizes a God that desires to have us know him. He sits and waits. He does not force himself upon us. He does however, persue us. He loves us and he seeks after us. I know he was seeking me, even then. He was asking me to draw nearer. He gave me just enough light that I knew there was more to the story. I always felt it in my heart. To find good in people was not enough. I had to find the wrong, the sin. I had to realize that I belonged here just as much as any of the others. I am a sinner. He is a savior. Those are our roles. He loves us in spite of the sin and desires that we would love him too.

I have since come to know Him in a much deeper way. I can honestly say that I love him more each day. It amazes me that even in the same family, we all have a different story. I went one direction and my siblings went different ways. A relationship with Christ is not based on who our parents are, how we are raised or where we live. It is a personal relationship. I don't understand it fully, but I can trust the author of my life.

This one simple picture stirs up more emotion within me than I ever imagined. It's just a simple little church. It is a symbol of light in the darkness. As a child, ok, even as an adult, I would dream of my prince riding in on a white horse to rescue me. To save me and to love me. Here he is, do you see him? He will never let me go. He loves me with an everlasting love. He did not let me walk away, but kept asking me to come near. Can you hear him whisper your name? I can. He placed a weeping willow tree in my yard and I would sit for hours and listen to the gentle whisper of the wind. Could that have been him? Just a short walk down the hill and there was a babbling brook, Basin Creek. I sat along that creek bed day after day. Listening to the water rush past me. Looking for minnows and hoping not see a snake. I never tired of it. I loved the bridges that allowed me to walk from one side to the other. I loved to watch twigs and leaves as they floated gently over the water. Peaceful in the midst of pain. He placed a symbol of goodness at the base of the hill on which I lived. He faced me, and watched over me. He greeted me every day. He walked beside me on the mountain tops and along the creek beds. He planted wild flowers all around me. He displayed gorgeous mountains to surround me, almost like a hug. He placed people in my life that would lead and guide me to Him. Yet, he asked me to walk among them to see the heartache, the pain, the sadness. I saw a lot. I cried a lot. Why me Lord? Why not some of these others who were hurting so badly? I don't have all the answers and I do not know how he will draw each one to himself, but I have to believe if he planted this seed within my heart, he can do anything. He loves us with a love we do not understand. I have been forever changed. He is my all in all. He is my prince, my knight, my savior, my best friend. All I ever need can be found in him.

I love this picture. I pray you have a simple little church that draws you to our savior. That whipsers hope into your life. Let the Son light your way in this dark and fallen world. Take time to listen as he whispers your name.