Ruach!

You may be wondering...Ruach? This means Spirit in Hebrew! Spirit meaning wind, God's presence; spirit as in Pentecost! Happy Birthday to the church TODAY! I love celebrating Pentecost! On my way to a graduation party I drove past a small church with a plethora of red and white balloons being held by precious children as they ran around the church courtyard...now that's a church birthday party! Pentecost reminds me to reflect on how God's spirit dwells amongst each of us every moment of day. I am overcome with gratitude when I feel God's spirit all around me. Whether it be in the quiet pages of my prayer journal or the music selections over the organ, I continue to be overwhelmed at the power of the Holy Spirit's presence. Or may it be a decision, a life changing situation...I continue to be overwhelmed by how the Holy Spirit shows up!

When do I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit the most: communion. Communion gets me every time!! Talk about a powerful sacrament! after church today I was telling one of my youth how every time I take communion I feel a tear gently rolling down my cheek. Here's a secret. After I dip the bread of life in the cup of life I return to my pew, pray, and then I picture in my head all the places I have broken bread and sipped of the cup with the community of God; Dahlonega Presbyterian Church around the Lord's table, Montreat in Anderson Auditorium, FPC Hartsville, Presbyterian College, Covenant, Yucatan, ARW, at the church homes of family members,  many retreats, camps, and weekend getaways! Communion invites me to remember the suffering servant leader who gives us life, who dwells with us today...the Holy Spirit.

When do I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit the most: the voices of the Lord's prayer! Another secret...when I bow my head to say the Lord's prayer I say it silently as I listen to the people around me collectively pray the Lord's prayer. As a little girl I loved hearing Daddy's voice say the Lord's prayer. Still today he reaches over and grabs my hand when we say it together in church. (Dad, bet you didn't know I listen to YOU!). And now when Robert and I worship together I love hearing him say the Lord's prayer. It is the Holy Spirit presences in the voices of the Lord's prayer that reminds me God is in control and with us every step of the way!

When do I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit the most: children's sermons! I know most people (especially people I know who serve in churches don't like the children's sermon), but goodness do I love it! God's youngest disciples gathered, eager to hear what the minister has to say, willing to shout out what they are thinking! I have never felt the Holy Spirit more in a children's sermon than at FPC Hartsville! Every Sunday morning I would look forward to sitting alongside these gifts from God to me (selfishly!) and share a biblical story with them...Holy God I know you were all around us!!!

When do I feel the presence of the Holy Spirit the most: in the experiences of every day life! the small things from day to day that cause me to stop, say a prayer of thanksgiving, and live my life as worship! So I share with you a few of my favorite things from this week...small, simple ways I saw God this week!

1. in a note from Robert. simply I love you!

2. when I open the door to our home and Bailey is waiting on me. Always excited!

3. Watching my youth at high school graduation with big smiles on their faces!
4. a sweet hug from a child
5. in using my love language of gifts...as I loaded Robert up with goodies for Duke camp

6. during Hebrew class as we read Genesis 1 in Hebrew!
7. through a parent telling their child they are proud of them!
8. by a handwritten thank you note from a youth
9. an hour of doing Montreat energizers with dear friends
10. a phone call from my sister sharing good news of a job
11. grabbing a drink with a girlfriend after a long day! a timeout from our crazy schedules!
12. planning mission trips for this summer
13. conversation with my grandmother about how God is working in our lives
14. grocery shopping with Robert and laughs we shared!
15. fresh flowers on the dining room table
16. when my calendar allowed for youth to stop by the office and I had time!
17. a Pentecost party at a church as I drove by
18. the smell of our back yard freshly cut
19. talking to a new mommy about being a mother!
20. laughter!
21. an email from a friend in Uganda!
22. my alone time with God writing in my journal! a gift from a dear friend!

Truly blessed and duly grateful for the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life! May we all recognize God's presence in our midst, in the miracle of every moment and say Thank you! Happy Pentecost!

Blessed by this Sabbath,
Neeley