One of those days

Today was one of those days, a day that filled my heart to overflowing.  A kind of day that had my lit up with a smile just from watching my boys play basketball, to watching them fall asleep on the subway ride home. It was full of moments where I was so proud, proud of my young leaders stepping out of the comfort zones, watching them reach of to a child who felt left out and leading others to do the same.  It was full of meaning full moments of conversations, a young man asking how someone could get baptized and then expressing his desire to be baptized because of his desire to follow Jesus. It’s moments like these that I cannot keep the tears from filling my eyes with the immense joy I feel and know. 

It was also the kind of day that had my heart so burdened and heavy, a day where one of my young leaders came up to me at the end of the day and asked me if she could go home, ask I looking at her face the sun glasses did not hide the tears streaming down her face. Without delay I told her to take her time and to join us for staff night when she was ready. Moments later I found out that her 14 year old friend had been shot the night before after hanging out with her and some others girls and had died this morning in the hospital. Blank. I ran after her and wrapped her in my arms. She sobbed into my shoulder and clung to me.

Quick conversation with my co-worker decided that our staff night would begin with a prayer meeting.

As we struggled through the next few hours, we gathered together with our streetleaders and interns in a building we have long desired to use. A building unused, left empty in the community, yet for so long we had desired to use and had been unable. Today  for the first time it was filled with life again, games, laughter and food going on inside, basketball outside. Again my heart was filled, filled with the love of a community support, loving and embracing each other and coming together.

The night was coming to an end as the staff night wrapped up. Hurting girls grieving the deep loss asked to go to the beach. Four of them piled into my car and we drove. Open water, space to breath. We ran into the water and let loose, we played. We splashed and laughter filled the skies. The laughter was healing. We sang and danced, jumping the waves. Our cloths soaked, we ran around, being careless and free. We laughed. They passed me a stick, “bride to be bride to be throw the bouquet”, they chanted. Over dramatically I counted down and through the stick, the pushed and throw each other into the water until one rose celebrating her success. Once we were all soaked we piled back into the car. As I drove them home I was filled with great joy, immense sorrow and so much thankfulness.

Today was one of those days, one of those days that will be cherished deep within my heart.