Miraculous Moments

For the first time, it’s really starting to feel like fall. I wore my leather jacket today to and from church and didn’t take it off once, even when the sun was shining. Maybe it’s because I went outside of the city yesterday, got to see some real nature, but that inexplicable shift has occurred when summer beings to fade away and the wonders of fall start to pop up. I love it. I love walking down the street, hugging my arms close against the cool air while breathing it deeply into my lungs. I love the leaves starting to change, and those that have already taken the plunge crunching beneath my feet as I walk. And I wish as I walk that I had a hand to hold, an arm to hug…but that’s a moment I’ll have to savor some other time.

Counting down the days.  91 till I again have access to amazing.

Yesterday we took a trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Both were really great stops, but I’m going to tell you a bit about the drive there first. While I appreciate and adore the various parks and gardens around the city, there’s something about being out in the true countryside. No buildings in sight, miles and miles of green, trees and fields…it’s wonderful. Forgive me for not taking any pictures as we drove; I wanted to savor every moment of it for myself. I got out my iPod about half way through the journey to Stonehenge and turned on my praise music playlist. “Miracle of the Moment” by Steven Curtis Chapman came on, a song I usually skip if I’m being honest (I have my favorites, and that just isn’t one of them). But I decided to let it play, and as it did I really focused on the lyrics. Go take a listen real quick: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rResKXjKqjQ.

For some reason, the lyrics really clicked. I became aware of the reality of God’s promise that He is always with me, and this was such a wonderful moment for the two of us. Everyone else on the bus was asleep, and as I looked out at the beautiful scenery I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I saw the trees, fields and clouds as His perfect creations. I knew without a doubt He had crafted this moment for us…no words, no sermon, just me and my God close and connected. I couldn’t help but smile, and even now tears spring to my eyes to think of the love I felt in that moment. It also made me realize the importance of living in the ‘here and now’. I am totally guilty of daydreaming about the way things were, the way I hope things will be, and the way things shouldn’t have been…so much so that I miss the miracle of God being with me right now. I’m not saying thinking about the future is bad, that daydreaming takes us away from God. I am saying that we have to be careful to not lose focus of the reality of the present, and how miraculous it truly is.

After that bus ride, I knew the rest of the day would be great no matter what. Stonehenge itself is a little…different than I thought it would be. Situated right by a highway with a fence all around the perimeter, it isn’t the isolated experience you think you’ll be getting. Nevertheless the weather was beautiful, and the rocks truly are amazing. To think of the people who would toil and suffer to place them there, that’s what really makes them outstanding. We didn’t stay long, though, which was probably a good thing considering it was freezing. The wind was whipping around and for the first time since I’ve been here I wished I’d worn more clothes. I couldn’t help getting a couple of postcards and a coffee mug (I collect them). Seriously, how many people have mugs from Stonehenge?

After another hour of driving we arrived in Bath, a city I (as a history nerd) have a significant interest in. The city and its healing waters have gone in and out of fashion over the years, but you can still feel a sense of haughty pride radiating from the buildings. It doesn’t hurt that it’s surrounded by some of the most beautiful countryside you’ve ever seen. Most people are familiar with Bath through Jane Austen; in her time it was a thriving marriage market for the middle class. Lucky for us, there was a Jane Austen festival going on that day, and we got to see people of all ages in period dress eagerly awaiting the ball that would occur later that evening. I can promise you I will be returning to Bath to take part in that particular event at some point in my life.

The Roman Baths are impressive and fascinating; 2000-year-old buildings covered by Georgian ones, all built for the same purpose of creating a place for the wealthy to receive the healing properties of the sulfur-rich waters. What I really loved, though, was the city itself. It has the feeling of a small ‘town’, and while there were plenty of people milling around its streets, it lacked the crushingly crowded feeling of London. It’s the type of city you wander around, unafraid of getting lost, in fact almost hoping you do. Brittany and I unknowingly ate in a pub that was frequented by Charles Dickens (don’t you just love England?). I hope we get the chance to go back to Bath. I think I only scratched the surface of a city with infinitely more to offer.

Today Brittany and I and several other girls from Baylor went to the American Church in London (ACL). While the service was more traditional than I’m used to or prefer, the sense of community and hospitality was overwhelming. Worship style and details of a service are personal preferences, and important in their ways, but I think the church was originally created for the purpose of fellowship and service. If I find a church that makes me feel like I’m part of a true community, and helps me serve the city I’m living in, I don’t need Chris Tomlin songs. I think we’ll visit a couple more, just to see, but I definitely felt at home at ACL.

I know this was a long one! But who really wants to read a blog about someone’s life who can fit their experiences into a single paragraph? Remember to live in the moment this week…the future will get here soon enough :)