A few weeks ago, something really wild happened at the church we’ve been attending. It caught me by surprise, and I was able to snap a photo of it right after it happened, so I thought I’d share it here on the blog today.
Before I get to the moment though, I should start by saying, that I’ve never really had a “church home”, so finding this place, that I feel so excited by and comfortable in, has really been a BIG, BIG blessing for me. The folks that created it (a few years ago) sure have done a great job of putting together a warm and inspiring place for us to worship. And although we haven’t met a ton of people there yet, (we’re still in “stroll in quietly and sit off to the very side” mode- ha!) I look forward to our time there so much. Each week, I can feel my “crazy compass” bobbity-bobble back toward the center point again. Ya know what I mean? (Fun fact: The church is called Centerpoint.) The only problem (for lack of a better word) with attending this particular church is that I have yet to make it through a service without tearing up. And I’m not talking about just during the message portion of the service. I’m talkin’: while the worship team is playing a song, while someone is getting baptized…you name it– I’m tipping my head back ever-so-slightly so that those big ol’ drops welling up don’t fall down…or out, ifyaknowwhatI’msayin.
A friend of mine said the same thing happens to her at church, and I had to laugh when we both admitted that we hope the people around us don’t think it’s because we’ve done so much sinning throughout the week- ha!
Okay, on to the moment.
Right now, we’re in the middle of a series on relationships. It’s about relationships with God, relationships with others, setting priorities, and resolving conflicts. Our pastor (John Schmidt) found a clever way to demonstrate things by using different-sized moving boxes to illustrate how our priorities should stack up. God’s box is three big boxes taped together to make up one, extra-large box. From there, they decrease in size: spouse, then kids, then work, then house/car/stuff. The smallest box is labeled, hobbies.
John’s been talking about how easy it is for those “moving boxes” to get jumbled up, and lost in the shuffle, when life gets go-go-going, like it always tends to do. Just like when you’re literally moving. Boxes get re-stacked and relocated, and when they end up in the wrong room, it can cause a lot of stress and make it really hard to find the things you need. I’m such a visual person, so seeing it laid out that way was great, and it makes sense to me why everything would run smoother if I just kept those stacks in the right order.
Okay. Now on to the moment.
It was pretty symbolic and goosebump-y, y’all…and I hope it translates here as well. I don’t even know if anyone else saw it happen, but boy did it make my eyes pop wide.
A couple of Sunday’s ago, the worship team (who absolutely rocks my socks off, by the way) was playing “The Great I Am“. (If you haven’t heard it, and want to check it out, click here.) It’s a really catchy and powerful tune, and at that moment, it felt like the whole congregation was really locked in. I’m talkin’ total sing-it-like-you-mean-it goin’ on. Exhilarating. Moving. The whole kit-and-kaboodle. I was lovin’ it…and I’m pretty sure big drops had welled up, and *ahem* out at that point.
Anywho, right about that time, as I was standing there all goosebump-y, the priority/moving box labeled “House/Car/Stuff”, (which was previously perfectly stacked on top of the box beneath it) flew right up and onto the floor…top side down. I scanned the area, looking for a fan, or anything that could’ve blown it over that hard.
But there wasn’t anything blowing over there. There wasn’t anyone near the box.
It just flew off.
Right there at the end of that Great song that we were all singing.
I probably embarrassed Kevin to pieces, but I had to pull out my cell phone and take this photo when the song was over, and we had all taken our seats again. See the box upside down on the floor?
The lighting was low, so the picture is a blurry and less than perfect. Hmmm…reminds me of me…and that’s okay, because it’s all about the “boxes” and how they’re standing, anyway.
I love it when God shows up in unexpected yet personal ways.
Me too! 😀
Layla, I totally get it! What an awesome reminder that we constantly need to be aware of our priorities, not only in relationships, but in every area of life. Sometimes I’ve deceived myself into thinking that something or someone is a priority, but if I really examine how I spend my time, money, and other resources, I realize I have been talking the talk but not walking the walk!
Thank you so much for sharing! May the Lord continue to bless you with wisdom and insight – for your good and for the good of others, and most importantly, for His great glory!
Amen sister! And thank you for your kind comment…I love being able to connect with you! 🙂
Don’tcha just love it when God moves in mysterious ways??? Will your newly found church home be close enough when you move?
Yes! We will not be moving too far away, and it is definitely worth the drive for us. Thanks for stopping by today, Donna! 🙂
A church family that loves and feeds you is worth a bit of a drive. And i stop by regularly…you are on my blog side bar. My little husband and I are building our retirement home together and I love the look you and Layla create…cottage-y and comfy. We are trying to make our new home look about 100 years old!
Layla, I totally understand what you are saying. Crying at church isn’t unusual for me, even though I’m not sad. When the sermon is right and the music is right it just gets to the heart of things and then it pours out…in big ol’ tears for me too. The box thing is so cool!
By the way, “The Great I Am” is my favorite name for God of all.
I’m with ya on all of it, Stacey! 🙂
That is my favorite song and I get all goosebumpy too when I hear it! What an amazing moment and I’m so glad you captured it. Each day is a new start on God’s journey for us.
Hugs,
Cathie
We have been singing that song all week! 😀
I so hear you!!!!! We just recently found a church that really feels like home and it feels SO good! I am so happy for you. That goose-bumpy, ugly crying feeling is straight from God and it’s a beautiful thing. I love this post…..thank you for sharing from your heart!
So happy you found a church that feels like home, that is awesome! Thanks for the sweet comment, Angela! 🙂
what a wonderful thing for you to see! i love little “Godwinks”. i see them often and appreciate everyone of them. God is Good!
good luck with your move….and keeping your boxes in order!
It comes across… God is so good. I lost a cousin when she was only 24 years old, our families always vacationed together, the following summer when we were on vacation we were sitting on a beach on a perfect summer, hot, nary a cotton ball cloud in the sky day…talking about Dawn and how things were not the same without her (I was 17 or 18 yrs old) and all the sudden we look up and there were dozens of tiny little rainbows all over the sky. we were all asking each other “can you see those?” and I have never seen anything like it since. To this day when we see a rainbow she comes to mind, but still I will always remember being blown away by those few moments of little rainbows.
In my family we have a little “tradition” of sorts that started after my grandpa passed away 11 years ago. When you find a penny on the ground you pick it up, not because it’s good luck, but because it means that someone in heaven is looking down on you. Bonus points if you can look at the year and recall something important that happened in that person’s life during that year. It’s always nice to have a reminder that someone is watching over you. 🙂
I love when you write about your faith, Layla! So good to hear and I too tear up at about every church service. Good stuff, girl. happy friday!
I’m a church cryer, too!!!! I always keep tissues tucked in my Bible so I can soak them up!!! Its such a great thing to find a church that feels like home.
Tearing up at church….you’ve got your heart wide open and the Lord is filling it up!
So true, Amanda!
I’m with you, too! I majorly cry during worship.
My tears went to a whole new level one Sunday this summer. We were on vacation in L.A., and we visited an old, beautiful, little stone cottage church in Rancho Palos Verdes. We sang lots of wonderful old hymns, an organist played a pipe organ, and the Pacific ocean was right out the windows on the left. It was an experience I will never forget!
I got goosebumps reading this!
Isn’t it great when God shows up in a BIG way to let us know He is right there with us?!? I’ve been studying the book of James with a fabulous group of ladies at the church I attend and last night’s study was on “good and perfect gifts.” When I read this post today it made me think of his small gifts again already this morning.
“…Out of God’s outstanding grace, a very imperfect person can still receive a delightfully perfect gift precisely because it’s perfect for her. God’s gifts are given with goals. They’re perfect because they’re perfecting. They don’t just give today. They give toward every tomorrow…”-from Beth Moore”s Mercy Triumphs.
Thank you for sharing your goosebump-y moment! Praying blessings for you that don’t just give today, but, in their perfection, give for every tomorrow!
Love the story! Yes, I get emotionally moved by God also – I can relate! Your “box moment” is what my family calls a “God Wink”. There is a fantastic book called “Godwinks” or “God Winks” – full of stories that some people might call a coincidence but others see as a moment when God was saying “yep – I’m still here and I care about the little things in your life also”. I have had so
many of these – quite amazing! Thanks for sharing your box story!!!
Amen and amen. Happy for you two!
Thanks for sharing this story. Blessed me.
Thank you, Becky!
OH my sweet friend, I love that you tear up! I do it EVERY Sunday. I cry during choir practice, I cry during worship, I cry during the message…and it’s ok to let them spill out, it’s just God moving on your heart….pulling you closer to him. I’m sure those people you are attending church with don’t think you’re crazy or have sinned a lot that week…they just probably think you’re building your relationship with Jesus…and that’s a good thing. 🙂 I love how your pastor used the boxes to show where our priorities should be, what a wonderful visual! God uses little things to speak to us sometimes…like a box falling off another box to prove a point, or when you’re praying to God for a vacation, and not 15 minutes later a friend texts you an amazing answer to prayer. 🙂
LOVE YOU LAY!
that was a goose bump moment for me, by the way. 🙂
I think maybe some one upstairs is saying Hey- House , car and Stuff is not important like Kids and God….maybe he was trying to see how many people there noticed it….ha..
love your blog- you do a wonderful job!@!
Love it when the Holy Spirit shows up. Sometimes He speaks to us in soft, humbles ways and other times through really cool acts-like symbolic boxes landing upside down on the floor. I go to Mars Hill Church in Seattle and we talk a lot about our idols-maybe God needed to see that moment as your home should not be your focus–He should!
If you want to hear some more cool tunes, here is a link to MH Music, King’s Kaleidoscope is our fave, the lead singer often kicks his shoes off while singing, totally gets into praising-it is pretty cool. They are launching a big record label deal soon, too. Can’t wait to hear them praising on the radio!
http://marshill.com/music
Thank you so much for the link to MH Music! I love finding new tunes. The singer for one of my favorite rock bands (Thrice) is also a worship leader for Mars Hill Bellevue. I’m looking forward to checking out King’s Kaleidoscope. I hope you have a great weekend!
Awesome!
We are frequently at the Bellevue branch as the hubs does security for Pastor Mark sometimes. I was there when Dustin and his beautiful family were introduced to the congregation around a month two ago? Haha, don’t think I’ve ever seen Pastor that stoked about someone new in a while. Kinsrew (sp?) is crazy talented, we are blessed to have him leading-what a small world. Getting ready to launch the new Tacoma MH, btw-so if you guys ever feel froggy-you should come jam with us there sometime :).
Hope you are enjoying King’s K, Chad is one amazingly talented dude, not to mention the rest of the team, we can’t get enough of them-just wish we still attended Ballard MH so we could see them more often, hope the new Tacoma branch will rock like they do.
Take care!
I totally get it. So awesome. True story: Right after college, I moved to Florida & stayed with an aunt and uncle who happened to be co-pastors in a local church. I wasn’t much of a believer in God (I actually detested the very thought of him), but out of respect I’d attend church on Weds. & Sunday nights. I had been going through a tough time after a break up with my high school sweetheart and I was just plain sad and angry. Well, one night, smack dab in the middle of my uncle’s sermon, a vision (as clear as day…like I was looking at it 5 ft. away) of 3 beautiful pyramids and bright yellow light shining behind them was RIGHT THERE in front of my face. Then, like a teleprompter, the words, “Luke 7:37) scrolled by. My uncle looked over and I’m not sure what kind of awe-struck look I had on my face, but it was enough for him to interrupt his sermon and ask if I was okay. I walked up to my uncle, whispered the creepy thing that just happened and asked him to read that verse to me. Well, turns out it was a verse about a sinner who brought an alabaster box filled with perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet. She gave ALL THAT SHE HAD to him. To this day, I’m sure if the pyramids were actually alabaster boxes, tilted on their sides or if it was symbolic of Egypt, where alabaster came from. All I know is, I believed in God with ever fibre of my being after that moment. I even painted a picture of it that evening so I would never forget it. In fact, I always wanted to open a little shop called, “The Alabaster Box” and considered naming my blog after it. Oh, and I swear on a stack, after that day, I had no heaviness on my heart about the break up. It was like Jesus was saying, let him go and let me in. xo
…and as a total afterthought, maybe He has a thing for “boxes”. hehe! (I just remembered that your post is titled “The Box.”)
Great post Layla! Thank you so much for sharing! I get that goosebumpy feeling al,most every time I am at Mass. The tears are insterspersed when we have “special” moments in church like baptisms, first communions or special petitions. I’m with ya siata!
ok, just so there’s no condemnation about the small hobbies box, I believe this to be true: If God is number ONE, there is no number TWO. Meaning, He can be in ALL the things we have in our lives, and we don’t HAVE to rank them in order of importance, or time/attention we pour into them. I get the box thing, but it leans toward legalism and condemnation. God is ALL and IN ALL. So if you are hosting his presence in ALL you do, you “don’t have to worry ’bout no BOXES girl!!!” just my two cents.
And you are not alone in the crying department. Especially when God moves!
and also i LURVE you and your blog. totally influenced my whole decor scheme… done now…
This was a “put-a-smile-on-my-face,” uplifting post! Many thanks for sharing such a beautiful part of your life…it makes my heart sing when I hear other people getting the same kind of blessings I experience in church! I always have a couple of extra kleenex in my purse just for occasions like this!!
You guys will be such a blessing to that congregation. But you have to go early enough to meet and greet people as they’re coming in, and stay after the service and get to know people. Invite someone over for dinner. Maybe since Kevin’s a musician, start with someone on the worship team. Before you know it, you’ll be involved in people’s lives and they’ll be blessed by you. No more “stroll in quietly and sit off to the very side†mode- ha! Participate in the “one anothers”. When our family switched churches 4 years ago, that’s what we did. My husband is a musician, so we invited the worship pastor and his wife over for dinner. Now we know almost everyone in our congregation of around 400 people.
That sounds like a great idea Betsy. Our church has “Connect Groups” that Layla and I are excited to be a part of. Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement!
That will be great! Then you’ll really feel like you’re home and part of the family.
Layla– sounds like a great experience! So glad you guys have found a church– sounds like a wonderful, encouraging place (I had no idea you were a christian– yay!) I feel blessed that I’ve also had a few of those moments where I feel like God is speaking directly to me. It’s a great feeling to know that He loves us all so individually to encourage us to grow where we need to grow– not just a one-size fits all message. Wishing you and your husband more of these moments (and by the way, I totally tear up during worship too– “10,000 reasons” never fails to get me for some reason).
hey layla! loved reading this post… isn’t it neat to see how God works. this reminded me of 1 Samuel chapter 5. if you have a chance read it… it might sound familiar. the ark of the covenant represented God’s presence in the old testament… read what happend when the Philistines captured the ark and put it in their temple with their idol dagon.
You made by day by posting this insight into your soul, Layla! Thank you for being transparent and not just sticking to “house stuff”…I’d say that you have your priorities in order!
Oh man I have goosebumps right now Layla ! One of our daughters, Georgi is just a beautiful person inside and out. Such strong faith, brave about it but not judgmental u know the whole 9 yards. She’s 18 a senior and getting really independent. This is her last year at home before going to college. She is always very involved w things. All good but VERY involved from school to starting a new bible type study called wildlife. So anywho, I have been really frustrated w her because she is so busy she seldom spends quality time w her sister(fraternal twin but has learning disabilities) I feel like its just something on her list to check off. So she said we need to talk and let her know me and dads expectations of her. Smarty. Good idea but I want to teach her the deeper meaning of my frustration. So I have been thinking praying and it’s definitely a talk about relationships. Gods view of them, Jesus’ relationships/how he spent time w his close peeps etc. long story short- voila your post! I’m going to try to see if I can watch his message or listen to it. It’s really cool to see Gods provision over our issues!
{{}}hugs to you
Corrie
Hi Corrie!
Thank you for sharing your comment with me. I will be praying for y’all!
Here’s a link to the site where you can download all of Centerpoint’s messages:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/centerpoint-fellowship-churchs/id544334244
Their website is http://CenteringLives.com, and you can find their videos there too!
Hope that helps!
Blessings,
Layla
Love this!! Not only was God speaking to you personally but what a blessing for you to share it with us. I think because you blog mostly about “home and stuff” it speaks volumes to your readers of where your heart is and the perspective we should have while reading all blogs about decorating, diying and remodeling. Thank you Layla and may God continue to pour out His blessings!!
Oh my gosh, I thought I was the only one who cries in church! It happens to me ALL THE TIME! I will be sittin’ there all innocent like enjoying the music and then I think of my gramma or my life or how this sermon makes so much sense and then it happens. Waterworks. It made me laugh out loud to read this because I thought I was a freak of nature bc I know no one else who cries during church! Yay!! We can be freaks together! Great post!
Hi Kari! The first Sunday we visited we both left after the service with our sunglasses on to hide our watery eyes. Ha! It rocked us pretty hard and we talked for hours that day. Such a wonderful experience. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
Hi Layla, you have a soft tender heart toward the Lord and He is just loving you through the words and music about Him. That’s why you are weeping and that’s always a good thing. Some have hearts that are so hard and cold that the Holy Spirit can’t get through and bless them at all. You are being loved and blessed and I am happy for you.
I always enjoy your blog and this is the first time I’ve left a comment. Your post today was so sweet I just had to.
Blessings~
Beautiful, Layla…thanks for sharing!
This might be my favorite post ever from you! The way you wrote it made me feel like I was there, and the symbolic nature of the box is something that I will be “unpacking” in my head for a long time 😉
Thank you so much for sharing this deeply personal experience with such transparency- I absolutely love your soft tender heart 😉
I honestly had no idea ya’ll were Christians! I’m soooo excited! I am always a huge supporter of creative folks who are followers of Jesus. I think it’s wonderful you had that experience. The Lord moves in some very funky ways that sometimes we just cannot explain and makes others skeptical. But it is the relationship YOU have with God and all you can do is show your wonderment with it all. It is inspiring!
Layla – thanks for being so honest and sharing your heart with us. I almost always shed at least one tear during church service. I try really hard to restrain those darn liquid drops, but they usually trickle down anyway. This was a beautful story and a beautiful post – thank you!!
Layla,
I haven’t read all the comments, and someone else may have already said this, but… Isn’t it great how God gets our attention? He uses all sorts of ways (people, prayer, music, BOXES!) He is definitely working on you! He has a purpose for you! Sometimes it is out of our comfort zone, and we think there is NO WAY you would ever be able to do it. I really want you to pray about what that is in your church. The best way to feel a part of something is to be involved. I can tell you that there are never enough volunteers. Go love on the babies in the nursery, or sit in and be a helper (not leader) in one of the childrens or youth groups. Help in the kitchen. Maybe it is the women of the church that you feel most comfortable with. Walk up to one of the staff members, and tell them you want to help in what ever way they need you. Just tell them you dont want to lead, you just want to be a helper. Sometimes they just need another adult in the room. I really don’t know why I’m saying this to you. I usually read over these blogs and go on. I’ve never commented on any of them. But, for whatever reason, I feel led to say this to you. What a blessing you will be to that church. All you need to be able to do is be willing…no skills necessary!!! God will take care of the rest!
Layla, I am so glad you and Kevin have found a “church home”. That excites me. Your worship team is awesome, too. (I am listening right now to that song.) Thanks for sharing this personal experience and I love your blog.
Thank you for enlightening my day with this story! I have always followed & love your blog & your personalities (I, too, have renovated an old place) and can relate to so much of what you have done. I only wish I had maintained a sense of humor and philosophy about it all as you have done! 🙂 All aside, I too am an ‘on-the-side’ church goer and tend to find it some sort of anchor. I love your compass reference and your visual needs as well. Seems like a great church with my kind of values!! God Bless you guys, keep up the good work and the spirit you do all with!
Thank you for the sweet comment, Elaine! 🙂
I cry in church. Every time. I try not to, really hard, but it happens anyway.
Layla, I so identify with your “tearing up” and goose-bump moments at church. I used to be embarrassed about it, but decided that I just need to go with it. I guess God made me to be one of those “cryers”. I’m learning to embrace it. {I wrote about it here
http://www.harbourbreezehome.com/2010/10/what-i-was-really-thinking-of-during/
as one of my earlier blog posts.}
I’m glad to know I’m not the only church weeper. We could sit beside each other and pass the Kleenex… 😉
Layla,
Thanks so much for sharing your faith and the way God is working in your life and in your church. Many blessings for you and Kevin as you start this next journey. God has great plans for you guys! Jer. 29:11…
Denise 🙂
and that little moment might have been meant just for you!
I need this today. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for sharing. Just another thing to love about y’all (your tender hearts). War eagle!
I cry all the time at church….can’t make it thru a gospel song, whether singing at home or at church without crying…..the Spirit is strong!
The spirit is strong! Thanks Jan!
How exciting to be in a place that preaches and worships like that. Most of my time in church is also spent teary-eyed. He is such a great God.
Wow! Love this post, maybe because I too cry at our service. Even though I try really hard not to cry. I can’t help it. I am so struck by the love/words that tears start to fall. People must think I have huge problems in my life. I am lucky. My life is easy. I am blessed. Love knowing that I am not alone♥
Thats awesome!!!!!
As a lot of us here, I’m a crier in church and further more have had the same thought about “I wonder if the people around me think I’m a horrible sinner” because of it. Now, I just make sure I have tissue at the ready because it’s gonna happen. I’m gonna cry during a song or worship or a prayer and I’m learning to just let it happen. Things touch me for reasons and most of the time I’m not sure what those reasons are so I just envelope the blessing.
There’s a song that every time I hear, I loose it. I cry and I cry hard. The words hit me like a ball to the chest. It’s this one. Redeemed by Big Daddy weave
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzGAYNKDyIU
I hope you enjoy it and Rita Joy, I’ll sit beside ya!