Merritt Harris's Blog
"keep on keepin' on!!" / 02.11.09, 04:56 PM
Almost everyday these days, I’ve wondered at the actual significance of the work i’m doing this year. What impact could be felt from one boy among millions, for only a year?
Somethings these past few weeks since Christmas have left me doubtful, confused and longing for a further place in my journey. i’ve tried quiet hard to fit in in my church these days; to feel like a significant asset to its body. I’ve been rather disappointed with my efforts and am reminded that it isn’t in my power what fruit my relationship with the church bears.
But God has another plan and i often find that just after i give up on mine! His plan isn’t fancy or glamorous but it’s encouraging and i can have peace in it. Last Sunday was the best Sunday that i’ve had since i’ve been here. by chance (not…) it was the first sunday that i stopped expecting something glorious to happen. First, Val and i are in the choir and if any one knows Black churches they know that the choir has many different outfits, from blue and creme robes to all black outfits, to anything that suits the occasion. Last sunday was African attire due to black History month. My frustration has been that often if it is anything other than blue robes (which we have) someone tells us that they’ll bring us something that matches and they forget. The problem is this, i already stand out quite a bit due to my skin color AND now we really stand out because we don’t match either. to top it off, we don’t know any of the songs so half the time we’re singing “watermelon” or just trying to catch on on the spot. oh yeah, its great fun. i just smile, because at least i can have fun even if everything else is gone wrong :) All of this is normal for any sunday of any month. except for last sunday. A lovely lady who sings alto with val told us she would make us two African scarves. if you know me, you know that i would be doubting this like an idiot through my smile. as God does, we were pleasantly surprised by some lovely scarves that perhaps distract the crowd from our lack of lyrics and lack of melatonin. :) As goofy and trivial as it sounds, this was quite and encouragement to me; i felt remembered and appreciated as a temporary member.
i feel like i could go on for ages about the small encouragements that have smashed through my skepticism this week. including playing percussion with the church band, playing with two neighbor kids, finding three acquaintances that i have been searching for and to top it off, this week has been sunny and warm in comparison to the past weeks.
i am learning to be dedicated to the small gifts God sends my way.
more than anything, i want to feel like a part-of-a-whole in my neighborhood and church. i want to belong. in an odd way, this is my church and my neighborhoods ministry to me!
i really want to jump around and shout for joy when a neighbor makes a suggestion that we hang out or that he comes over! i want to shout for joy when i can talk and fellowship after church! i want to talk a million miles per minute about the work God is doing here and here in my heart.
praise be to God who hears my cry!
pray for;
-diligence in knowing my community around me.
-a ministry of Christs love.
-humility: there is no job below us
enjoy life, merritt harris
ps, i think i found a skateboarding buddy! He lives in my apartment building. Wow, God is funny in His timing . i guess i’ll take skating up again! :)
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hey man, just wanted to let you know that i really enjoyed reading this blog. your honesty is inspiring to me. thanks for loving your neighbor as yourself. peace man.
By joe grove / Apr 10, 11:04 PM / #
Hey merritt, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your blog today. the story about the choir was so funny. About standing out like a sore thumb, wrong color of skin and no costume and watermelon, watermelon, and appreciating the small things like an alto choir member remember the African scarves. I also read your recent newsletter where you say that you love the choir, especially the choir rehearsals. thanks for the funny and yes, honest blog.
By dad / Apr 20, 07:57 PM / #