Here's my entry to Mary DeMuth's Kindle contest.
http://www.blogtourspot.com/2010/02/thin-places-blog-tour/
In exactly 259 words – the retail value of a Kindle reader – tell us about a time you experienced a “thin place” in your life. These would be aha moments, beautiful realizations when the Son of God bursts through the hazy fog of our monotony and shines on us afresh, times when God has reminded or reassured you that he is real and present.
It was December 23rd. Walking into the school where I worked I felt empty, even though it was Christmastime. I queried my heavy heart to find out why. That quickly, I realized I was now working in an environment where “Christmas” becomes “holiday”, and God’s name is rarely mentioned. Previously working at church, I was surrounded with the truth of Christmas; now my days were filled with Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Los Posados. It bothered me that God wasn’t well represented in this time of year.
At the school library, I turned the doorknob and stopped short at what I heard. It was God singing over the intercom. Well, it wasn’t God, but it was Josh Groban, and he was singing about God. The music piped in was the chorus to “O Holy Night”.
I slipped into the empty library and closed the door. I heard, “Christ is the Lord, O praise His name forever!!” My heart soared with the raw truth it had been hungry to hear, soaking in the words. I positioned myself under the speaker in the ceiling and stood still.
The truth of “Oh night divine” wrapped ‘round about me. I knew then that no matter what‘s happening, no matter where I am, no matter how little is said about Him, He is still present in the world and with me always.
The song ended; the room was silent. Wiping tears from my eyes, I owned a lighter heart. God was alive and well at Christmas and all the year; He’d just told me so Himself.
beautiful! Well written and certainly an experience I've been through...pondering why Christmas is so stressful instead of loving. :) Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteGreat work! I wish I had read your post about the contest earlier, but I am still going to try and whip something up anyway! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGreat cut-down verstion! I remember reading the full one and thinking how poignant it was!
ReplyDeleteLenore
Beth, lovely, well written and just made me cry. Oh night divine. Christmas is about SO MUCH MORE! How I can't wait to see my Savior when I get home. Wonderful post. Wonderful entry. =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, everyone- I appreciate your kind and encouraging comments!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing that songs can be a thin place? Thanks for sharing your story.
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