Gathered Around

Dear Church, 

Last night we didn't have normal Wednesday night services, but instead this whole week we as a church have been gathering in different homes across the city for a meal together. 

For the Brown household, we hosted last night in our backyard. I affectionately called my own house the “children” group because the adults were vastly outnumbered. Our yard became overrun with 9 joyful kiddos as we borrowed tables and chairs from the church so everyone could fit.  It was fun to hear their gleeful shouts and hear whispers of the games they were making up. My own children left the party absolutely sweaty and dirty, a sure fire sign that they had a good time. I saw more soccer balls than I knew we owned and found chalk drawings in rather unexpected places. 

It was fun to see how a hodge-podged meal came together and became a feast, and to see how many people (adults and kids alike) checked in on my one year old to make sure he was good to go. Over the dinner table, I got to learn things about the adults that I didn't know before and we had good opportunities for laughter.

What I love about my wonderful evening, is that I know there was at least one other happening at the same time just a few miles away at the Brumley House, and quite a few hosts on other nights that week. I love knowing that we all got to experience an evening of good deeper friendship and closeness. This is what I love about a regular Wednesday Night at Highland Hills, and I am glad we got to do it on an even deeper level for this special week. I came away with an even deeper appreciation for people I already cared about and get to worship God with, and I'm sure many of you did too. 

If Jesus were to wander into Macon today, I think this is exactly where we would find him. Gathered around a table. Gathered with other people and getting to know one another. Under the twinkling lights of our patio, I think I saw a bit of the love of Christ in each dish that was shared, and each child that was tended to. And I am grateful. 

In the words of my five year old last night after everyone left, “Can we do this next Wednesday?!” Yep, my dude, we can. But it'll be at the church. Where we have the tables and chairs waiting but the fellowship and laughter is the same. 

Dear church, I am grateful to be in this fellowship with you. 

Grace and Peace, 

Pastor Caitlin