CCF at MST

This semester I am trying to (let me re-word that, am going to) become more involved in the Christian organization on campus, CCF (Christian Campus Fellowship).  I only went to the weekly worship service a few times last semester  (per my therapist’s request) and left it at that.  This semester I’ve gone two times in the first few weeks of school and plan to go every week I can.  I have also joined a small group called “Be Lights that Talk,” which meets once a week to challenge ourselves to reach out to other on campus who do not know Jesus.

I haven’t been going alone, though.  And if I didn’t have anyone to go with, I can’t say I would actually be going.  That’s where God and Brittany come in.

Brittany, a sophomore who just transferred from Anderson University, and I have reconnected and started attending together.  We went to High School together, where we spent many hours together as we were both in Color Guard.  (It was funny to introduce ourselves and basically tell the same story.)  Right before the semester started, I just so happened to see her at her place of employment and we found out we had the Chem Lab Safety class together.  Actually, it wasn’t a coincidence.  I know God was behind it all.  Now we meet up twice a week for small group and the Catalyst service and I’m really excited to see how this semester goes.  So, so thankful for how it has already unfolded.  All thanks to Him.

Tonight was the weekly service called Catalyst, where there is worship and a message.  Tonight the message really hit home and try as I might, I couldn’t hold back tears.  We are going through the whole Bible this semester, and tonight was the story of Joseph, with a focus on the family dynamics.  At first, I didn’t really see where the sermon was going… but then at the end it all came together.  It was about our relationship with our Earthly father.  The speaker told about how his father struggled with cancer and passed away, but they ended on bad terms. He encouraged us not to do the same because he wished he would’ve embraced his father like Joseph did after he and Israel reunited.  And then he talked about embracing our fathers in Heaven in that way … and that did it for me.  I cried tears of joy and sorrow.

Sorrow because I have to wait until I get to Heaven to embrace my Earthly father again.  Sorrow because I couldn’t make a phone call to my Dad after the service.  Sorrow because my relationship with my father was cut short many years.

But joy because that day will come and the thought leaves me speechless.  Both of my Fathers are waiting for that embrace.  Joy because I knew my father’s love.  Joy because I stood by his side until he passed.

As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time.  Genesis 46:29