Cool White GIrl

Today, I got to do three of the things I love most:
1) I got to go to church this morning and really let loose.
2) I got to write music with a pretty darn cool person who loves music as much as I do (don't get a big head, Kent, if you are reading this)
3) last but certainly not least, I laughed so hard that I felt it in my back and tears were rolling down my cheeks.
What a great day.

This morning was the best experience at a church in Columbia that I have ever had. Besides it reminding me of home, because the whole time all I could think of was how much it reminded me of my mom and how she would fit right in with this group of people. It was an experience that might have made quite a few white people uncomfortable. This was because of the fact that I walked in, alone, to find myself to be the only white person in a room full of black men, women, and children. However, they made me feel more welcomed and loved than any white church I have been....ever. Since my church at home is mostly black, being the only white girl doesn't bother me at all because I've gotten to the point where I really don't notice color at all. Apparently they didn't either, or if they did, they hid it well. I say this because I was probably hugged by every person in the room. Twice.

As I was worshipping with the rest of the congregation, I was moved by God in a way that I can honestly say I have not felt before that moment. In that moment, I wanted all of Columbia, SC to feel the love of Christ that I felt in that room. These people's hearts were not concerned with who they were going to offend, with what someone else in the room looked like, with how well their praise and worship team "performed," or with an order of service. They were simply concerned with pleasing God and entering into His presence. So, as I lifted my hands in worship, I was so overwhelmed by the love that they shared for Christ that I truly prayed that my friends, family, and all of this beautifully confused state of South Carolina would experience this same type of love. That's what people need. They don't need someone else telling them how to live their lives. They need to be showered with Christ's love that doesn't say that perfection is a requirement to be accepted into God's Kingdom. It doesn't constantly remind us of how incredibly unworthy we are and beat us down with this thought. It reminds us of His grace that makes us worthy and that He has accepted us here, in this moment, as we are, without a second thought about it. And, there is nothing we can do to change that. That's exactly what I felt this morning. Along with enjoying the passionate hearts that brought about this love. Everyone there was wonderfully passionate. I wish more white people would catch on to this. What a difference it would make in our lives.

I will say, though, what made my day was that the pastor shook my hand afterwards and said, "You are one cool white girl."