I really needed this

This picture is of Tim Harlow, one of my life-long friends. We’ve known each other from before we were born (or sort of). Our parents were and still are good friends. In this shot Tim was wrapping up the SPIRE Conference Michelle and I were able to go to this past week in Nashville.

Honestly, we considered not going after Jeremy’s passing. But then I realized something…I needed to be around other Pastors and friends so they could help me process my grief. More than that, I needed to be inspired by some amazing leaders who God would use to speak straight to my heart.

Michelle and I were blessed beyond what we could imagine. Here’s why: WE ARE DESIGNED TO GATHER, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, TO GIVE AND RECEIVE LOVE, GRACE, ENCOURAGEMENT, AND SUPPORT.

I still love that we’re able to do our online services as well as we’re doing, but I will also tell you this: If you’re in the area and healthy…you’re seriously missing something if you’re not literally gathering with others to GIVE & RECEIVE this support. It is not just about what we can receive or “get” from the church. We are the church…and we desperately need each other.

I needed those hugs, those tear-filled looks of encouragement and those prayers with people hanging on to me. I also needed to be able to do that for others. We’re all carrying some kind of pain or concern.

There are days when you need a pat on the back and days when others will need your pat on their back. We really are in this together.

“Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25 MSG)