Love One Another

Hello little blog. We haven't had much time together this past year. I long to update you and fill you with all the stories of life lived, so that someday I can come back and read them... and remember. But this year has been a different one. My life, a different one.

I've been thinking and reflecting a lot about the last year. And doing a lot of dreaming about the one ahead.

January marked one year in Knoxville. We are no longer settling in. We're here, settled. We're living our lives.

One year ago we packed up our lives and we moved here not just to start a church... but to be the church in a new community. We came to push up our sleeves, to love well and to serve however we can.

I'm really not sure what I expected to find in return. I don't think I had any expectations actually. But what we've found... is home.

Knoxville is my home. The people that the Lord has brought together here are family. Eternal family. Fellow lovers of Jesus. Sojourners to walk with as we link arm in arm through this fragile, precious life on earth. An incredible fellowship of believers that has loved us and loved one another so well.

My perspective of this grafting of family is far more awe-inspiring than I could possibly describe with words. It's nothing short of Holy. I've watched as the Lord has drawn (and is continuing to draw) these precious people into this body of believers in the most incredible ways. And I've watched as they pull together to meet the physical and spiritual needs of one another and of the community.

Like renovating a friend's dance studio when she needs help,

pulling together to take meals to neighbors with a new baby and no family in town,

rejoicing together over engagements and weddings,

praying over the phone for each others children,

gathering at the lake loaded down with kayaks, coolers, kids and dogs,

sitting on back patios way too late, laughing so hard we can't breathe,

talking about the gifts of the Holy Spirit over cheeseburgers and shared fries,

helping with moves across town,

emergency room visits and group texts with updates,

walking along side friends who's loved ones transitioned to heaven,

and SO much more.

It brings me to my knees in awe of a great God who loves His children and wants to show us His love. And His vehicle to show us that love? One another.

Don't get me wrong. It hasn't been a cake walk. It's been hard. People are messy. I'm messy. Life is messy. And complicated. This time here has not been without its growing pains and learning curves. But this side of heaven, those things are unavoidable. And we choose to push through it. To drop offenses, to humble ourselves, and to love well. We choose to walk with one another through the messy and muddy. Like Jesus did. Like Jesus does.

Our precious church is growing and thriving. Grace Chapel Knoxville has become a family of believers, loving and encouraging one another. One of Jake's first series' was called "Life Together" we. are. living it! We lived a lot of life together last year! Our hearts have been and are being knit together in ways we never could have foreseen. Life is better lived together. 

What a wonderful day when we can all be together in Heaven, finally, gloriously, home.

But until then, our home on earth is wherever God takes us... acting justly, loving mercy, walking humbly... breaking bread in our homes, sharing our faith with the lost, and making disciples of Jesus. Doing it all together.

Its not just something to hear of, read about or long for. It can be done. It might will be messy, but it's so worth it to love one another.

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man...  Acts 17:24 

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:46

By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35