Wednesday, April 28, 2010

in the presence of Royalty

Some people got together and set up a prayer room in Winthrop.  They had a 72 hour prayer event, in which people signed up for 30 minute shifts to pray in the room.  Or you could just come in when you felt the need.

I chose the latter option today after lunch.  I'd kept putting off going up there, and since I had another hour plus before my next class, I didn't have an excuse.

After spending a few moments to look around the room, I had to fall to my knees.  The Spirit that flowed through the place compelled me to pray.  The words formed themselves in my mind so easily.

Something about the signs instructing people to take off their shoes (I would argue that the place where I stood was holy ground), the blankets on the floor, the soft worship music playing, the prayers and verses written on the papers covering the walls...was just powerful.

God was in that place. I was in the presence of royalty.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

silver and gold

i'm starting to realize how much i can learn from being wrong.

i've spent a lot of time being silent.  for example, in class i don't answer questions.  sometimes, it's because i'm unprepared.  most of the time, it's because i'm afraid of being completely off the mark.

i'm writing this in lab, where we just finished going over the answers to some problems.  it's mostly open discussion; we have time to answer the assigned questions on our own, and then we go over them as a group.  i usually sit quietly and listen to the others give answers; this time, i decided to offer my own explanation...but i was incorrect.  honestly, it was a little embarrassing.

eventually, i realized my error.  and something occurred to me in that moment: silence may be golden...but sometimes silver looks better than gold.

i hate that it took me almost 14 years of school to understand this.