Don't let the difficulties of the present moments overshadow the reality of God's promises. God's promises still stand. And God's promises are stronger than our failures.

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Mission Trip - Day Five

Reflections:

"You Are Standing On Holy Ground"

I've read it in the Bible, I've sung it in hymns, I've even felt it on occasion. But exactly what does it mean? While I was at UMCOR Sager Brown I felt it often and I thought about it a lot. Holy ground, I've decided, doesn't mean a grand sanctuary, although it could mean that. It doesn't mean a sweet little chapel, although it could mean that too. Holy ground can be anywhere God's people come together to worship Him and/or to serve His children. UMCOR Sager Brown is only one of those places.

I said in an earlier post that when I walked across that campus I felt God walking beside me. But it wasn't just that. God was a constant presence from the Blessing of the Hands when we first met together, to the stations where workers were emptying a box of health kits and getting them sorted and counted and ready for shipment, to the sewing room where school bags and Christmas stockings and drapes were sewn, to the maintenance area where men went to check out tools before going out into the neighbors of the community to repair roofs and steps and windows and to paint the homes of those in need, to the offices where plans were being set in place for new groups arriving in the coming weeks and for a new depot to be built in Utah in the coming months, to the Vesper service on Thursday night put together and done by volunteers, to the cafeteria where we all gathered in a circle and held hands before each meal to thank God for His bounty. Every place where people were serving...the warehouse, the dormitory, the kitchen, the chapel, the offices, the maintenance shop...every place there was Holy Ground.

When I got home I thought it would be a separation of sorts from that Holy Ground until I realized that's not true at all. This house is Holy Ground for Jerry and I. Out of this house comes prayer and study and gifts of both money and time for God's work. Out of this house comes prayer for our children and grandchildren, our friends who have health issues and who encounter sad things in their lives, our church and church leaders, our nation and world. Out of this house comes study...both formal and informal. Out of this house come gifts to our church and to other charities we help support. Out of this house comes time given to community organizations and church ministries. Now don't mistake me. This is not out-of-the-ordinary stuff....this is the same stuff you're doing at your house. But that means your house is also Holy Ground. It puts a whole new perspective on home when you think about it that way.

No matter where I am, that's Holy Ground. No matter where you are, that's Holy Ground. It's what we do; it's what we say; it's who we love and worship that make it Holy Ground.

18 comments:

Michelle said...

Marlene, what a beautiful post, and you are SO RIGHT!

Blessings to you this CHRIST-mas season, and always.
Michele

Amelia said...

So true...

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord...Joshua 24.

Thank you for the posting of your trip...it is wonderful to hear stores of our fellow Christians and their wonderful deeds.

Amelia

Adrienne said...

Oh, Marlene, you've got it figured out! You are so right. Thank you for this beautiful post today. I needed to read your words to remember that TODAY my home and everywhere I go to touch the lives of others can be Holy Ground. Thank you for sharing from your heart with us.
~Adrienne~

(I had a comment written and when I tried to publish it my computer had a hiccup of sorts. If it shows up in addition to this one you can delete it.)

Tracy P. said...

Wow, Marlene. Just beautiful, and so true.

diamondstatecurlygurl said...

Thanks Mommy... your posts were wonderful while you were there, this made me cry - in a great way. I love you.

Aunt Julie said...

A poignant post. Glad everything is going well!

Jacquie said...

I love what God does in the hearts of His servants - especially when they've just returned from a mission trip.

molly said...

What a great place you went to on your mission trip! It's so nice to hear about what's good in the world for a change. Hats off to you and your husband [who has the same name as mine!]for your generous hearts.

Jan said...

Marlene I loved this because it is so true ,you dont have to go to church to pray ..love Jan xx

Valerie the Pumpkin Patch Quilter said...

I love this post and it is so resonating and true for me as well. So glad you shared - and how inspiring are the posts about your mission trip. Your good heart just makes ME want to do good things. :)

Oh, and thank you also for the comment you left on my blog! :) You know it just makes sewing much more enjoyable when someone says you did alright! :)

Marie Rayner said...

Marlene, you are so right, Holy Ground is wherever He happens to make His presence felt. Isn't it wonderful! Beautiful post!

V and Co. said...

lovely. i feel sometimes the most holiest of places are in our homes when we can shut out everything of the world at our door. thank you for your comment.

Dandelion Quilts said...

What a journey you've been on.

BarbCarol said...

Thank you God for family.

Leaon Mary said...

What a beautiful post!!
and I'm singing with you

WE ARE STANDING ON HOOOLY GROUND...
AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ANGELS
ALL AROUND....!!!

Lea

Grammy Staffy said...

What a lovely post. I agree with you. Thank you for sharing this mission with us.

Have a great week.

Momma to Many said...

Wow! That does sound like part of our Sunday school lesson yesterday. I had not read it until now. I need to remember to think of my often crazy, chaotic home as Holy Ground, because God surely knows that He is the source of all the strength that is present! I love the post.
Kim

Mary L. Briggs said...

Wonderful post, Marlene! I'm just getting caught up with your mission posts~and enjoying all of them!

Everywhere is Holy Ground when we are putting God first. I especially like the thought of our home being Holy Ground~because that is where it all starts--our relationship with Him, our relationship with each other, and then out into the world!