An amazing night

Tonight Phil and I went to a concert, which I don't think we've ever done together. It was at our church here, and one of the pastors did the opening set. I've only seen him perform at church, and I was really calmed by his music - it spoke a lot of truth in a lot of great ways.

After him came Enter the Worship Circle, which I had heard of, but was not super familiar with. It was amazing, like water to a very very parched soul. It was so good to sit in a place where I could let my soul be quiet and listen to God. They talked about closing chapters, or full books of life, and allowing yourself to start again. (Phil and I found that funny-ironic-God-funny because we just had a conversation over dinner about learning from mistakes and not letting them rule us.)

I thought so much of my Escalante girls - how so many of them need to know it's okay to change their path, to start a new chapter, to re-name their story and to let go of a past. So many of them need to know this God who is loving and gracious and merciful, who always wants to hear from us, no matter how mad or sad we are.

That message, the one of grace and hope and new beginnings, needs to be told to these beautiful and hurting girls I work with every week. Life doesn't give them very much grace, love, or hope. It's hard to even teach it because there are not past examples in their life of grace or love. It hurts me, and I desire that God's hope and His love shows through everything I do with this program. And that I never ever give up on these girls - since God never gives up on us.

On a side note, tonight's refreshing concert also motivated me to start looking for God and talking to Him more regularly throughout the day. I need to start acknowledging His work on a regular basis - start doing the "where am I seeing God today?" game. I've been closed off to Him for some reason, and I am very ready to let Him back in.

So come, my Jesus - please be welcome.