holy place

When I woke up this morning, I had no idea how wonderful the day would be. I had mixed feelings about going to church as I rolled out of bed. My cold had worsened over night, and my heart was anything but ready to face God this morning. Yet, I knew that I must go. The last song we sang this morning was "Great is Thy Faithfulness." It has to be one of my favorite hymns. There were many things running through my mind as I sang the words. Slowly my heart softened and I realized that I was no longer just singing the words, I meant them with all my heart and soul. It's a renewing feeling being able to trust in God again. Oh, but thats not all. Dr. Bud Bence was the preacher today. He was talking about setting things aside that are holy. My mind drifted in and out of concentration until he started talking about place that he believe were holy places. He started by saying there is a little place outside of Watkins Glen that is holy, and I swear to you, a picture of the crick at Chambers popped up on the slides. I couldn't hold back the tears. BreAnn, Kaylyn, Tyler and I just all looked at each other with joy. We could hardly believe that he was talking about Chambers. He talked about the farm, the crick, the grounds....everything. He also mentioned the tabernacle. And how he had a piece of the old alter in his possesion. As he held up that piece of wood, my mind took me back to the moments spent kneeling at that alter. The dusty, wonderful alter where pretty much no one can hold back tears. Lately, I thought I have been homesick. However, today, I realized that I was not homesick, but childhood sick. Growing up is the hardest thing I have ever had to do. So many times I just want to revert back to when I was little, running around camp throwing water balloons, spending entire afternoons at the teather ball courts, or searching for crey fish in the crick. And a part of me is afraid that growing up will take away all those wonderful moments. But as I listened to Dr. Bence this morning, as he choked back tears about being a boy of 16 kneeling at the alter at camp, that those times never leave us. Especially with a place like Chambers. I'm not really sure why I am writing all of this...but, I am so thankful for God's faithfulness.