it's a beautiful thing...

I went to a lovely Christmas Tea tonight in Waupaca with the ladies in my small group. I adore community and enjoy fellowship. I sat next to an aged, beautiful woman whose heart was wise, yet searching. We shared our stories and drank Christmas drinks and watched the snow delicately fall outside. The women at this church were so kind and giving. How fun it was to be a part of that special night. We all have a story to tell, and you never know what kind of impact your story can have on someone, or the kind of impact other's stories can have on you. I watched a beautiful story play out in Christ the Rock's 'Random Acts of Christmas' play this afternoon. I hear stories from the high schooler's I work with daily, and the friends that I do life together with. I hear stories about about a lost brother and stories of orphans and widows in third world countries and my heart hurts. I hear stories about people with no family, or no experience of love, stories of shame and repentance, stories of lost loved ones and broken relationships, stories of joy and stories of sadness. My heart aches with a compassion that rattles the very fiber of my being. God is leading me somewhere...and it's a beautiful thing.