Holy, Holy, Holy

1. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
   Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
2. Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,
   Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
   Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,
   Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.
3. Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
   Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;
   Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
   Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.
4. Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
   All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;
   Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!
   God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

This is one of the hymns I've grown up my entire life singing and the whole time allowing the beauty of the lyrics to pass me by.  Tonight I experienced this song in a way I'll never forget.  After a wonderful family dinner with friends and staff members, about 30 of us were gathered in the Ogden lounge for some student led worship.  The last song was "Holy, Holy, Holy" and the instruments faded away, it was just our voices.  Thanks to Dr. Tackett's Matins, everyone was familiar with this song and was able to sing without looking at the sheet with the words they'd passed out.  After the first few verses I opened my eyes and looked around the room.  I saw each of my brothers and sisters in Christ that have already come to mean so much to me in such a short time.  I thought about the bond I have with them and how unique this place is.  I listened to the harmony that was being created and how amazing it sounded as it was being lifted up to our awesome God.  I know it's only October, but it crossed my mind that this place is only temporary and we are all going to disperse back across the country in a few short months, which breaks my heart.  But how comforting is it to know that this LIFE is only temporary and I get to be with all of them and so many more in heaven for the rest of ETERNITY?!  And then it hit me - this beautiful moment that I was experiencing, the crying out and attempting to offer even a sliver of ourselves to the maker of the universe with our voices....it was a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a fraction (keep saying that about ten more times and you still wont be close but you'll be inching closer...) of what we get to do forever and ever and ever in the PRESENCE of our ALMIGHTY LORD!  I closed my teary eyes, listened to the splendor of what was around me, and couldn't even fathom the majesty of heaven.  I can't wait for that glorious day!! 

sweetly broken

Oh mylanta!! has it really been almost a MONTH since I stopped to update this blog??  Goes to show how crazy busy life is these days .
Busy actually might be an understatement.  I feel like almost every moment is filled with something....but I wouldn't change a second of it.

God is molding me into a new person.  The hardest part of this process so far is letting go of certain pieces of the old person.  There are pieces that bring me comfort and put me at ease just because of their familiarity.  God is showing me that I have to surrender all the areas of my life though.  If I never left my comfort zone, I would never have to lean on him for strength.  I am called to give up EVERYTHING for the sake of the cross.  In doing that and living a life that I've emptied myself from and allowed him to fill, I will be a better servant, lover of people, friend, daughter, sister, roommate, and ultimately be able to make a bigger impact for him and his kingdom.

I am breaking into a million pieces, but my heart is overwhelmed with joy!  I am living out the words of the old hymn "..sweetly broken, wholly surrendered."  Sometimes people don't understand that concept, but being broken is SO very sweet.  It allows you to come back together as a stronger, more mature, resilient child of christ.  My heart is swelling every day as I spend time with my creator and grow closer to him, as I get to know the people here and continue to build Christ-based friendships and relationships with them.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing group.

I wish I had time to keep going, but my homework must get done at some point!