we ARE the CHURCH

Today I went to Central Union Mission for the morning. While there we helped make beds and fold sheets for the shelter. We also helped fold newsletters they are going to be sending out. The group I was with was AWESOME!!! We finished everything with 45 minutes to spare. Usually I would be FREAKING out at this moment. My JOB is to have work for the participants from 9-3. However, today God really blessed the extra time. The group and I were sitting in a room right off the offices. The participants had the opportunity to hear the testimony of 3 of the men who work at the Mission yesterday. SO, today I asked if anyone wanted to share their testimony. Both of the adult leaders and I shared how God has brought us to this point in our lives. It was so cool! THEN, I asked the youth what made them want to come on this mission trip and what their expectations are for the remainder of the week. One of the youth said that she had signed up for this trip a long time ago, but within the past month really did not want to come. I really appreciated her honesty. One major reason for that was that someone from her church called her mom and told her mom that she was a bad kid. You can tell that stung! She started to tear up just voicing it. This girls honesty led to a sweet conversation. The main center of this convo was a frustration with how people who say they are Christians and go to church every Sunday can be the most hurtful... while at the same time people who are not Christian can be so loving and do so much good even if that is not a part of their creed.
My dear blog reading friends, how often do I judge and deny the right from someone to be loved?
I do it all the time! But, I have no place in doing that. If I say I am a Christian I am saying I am a Christ Follower. Is un-love following Christ's example?
Let's look!
The Woman at the Well in John 4:1-42.
Jesus FIRST reveals himself as the Messiah to a 1.) Samaritan 2.) woman 3.) in the afternoon (aka heat of the day when no one else was at the well). You have 3 cultural no no's right there. BUT Jesus chose to show this woman himself and give her life giving water... the same life giving water he has given us. Should not I also stop my judging and start loving? My challenge for myself is to stop seeing all that I see wrong in people's lives and start loving them where they are at...TODAY!
There are many many GREAT things the church does. But sometimes I forget the greatest commandment. LOVE! Drop everything else I have...everything the "church" tells you to be and do and start being the Church of Christ Example Followers I am called to be a part of. Start to bridge the gap that has caused the youth that was in the group so much pain.

Before I go I just have a few random things:
1.) Dad, I am SOOOOOOO excited for you to come visit this weekend! You are going to take D.C. by storm!
2.) Heather, you make me smile very much! Thank you. I am sorry my letter still hasn't made it to you. WEIRD. I put the same address on it as was on your return address form the letter you sent me. Sorry!!!
3.) All who are reading this... thank you for reading this. I know lots of people write blogs and they can be a hassle to read, but I really do feel loved by the fact that you would take the time out of your day to read about mine.
4.) SHOUT-OUT TO CATHERINE (because I didn't give you a shout-out last time I did this).

Peace, Love, and Lots of Life Learning for me in D.C.

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Bridget