You'll Never Guess Who I Just Saw...

So, last night I saw Jesus. Well, I guess the proper way to say that would be that I saw a reflection of Jesus. But you know how sometimes you look in the water and the reflection is not clear and then other times you look and its just like looking into a sea of glass - the water is so smooth that you not only see a distorted figure, but instead details clearer than you ever thought possible through a mirror? That's what last night was. The picture I saw of Jesus was beautiful. It was absolutely stunning!

SuperBowl XVII - Giants vs Patriots. Feb 3rd 2008, though for me won't be remembered only by the great upset, fumbles, amazing passes and according to Rick, the best Super Bowl game ever played by mankind. It won't be remembered by the fantastic memories such as Hannah performing CPR on herself, Josh R almost throwing up on Jess, and me scaring everyone with "the Vampire." Instead, it will be remembered much longer for the glimpse of my sweet Savior. Matt Rawlings encouraged the guys to lead by planning and organizing the entire event. So, the guys, led by JB, stepped up to the plate and hit a grand slam. We gals asked probably a million times over the last few weeks "can we do anything to help? can we bring anything? please let us do something..." And each time they just smiled and said "we've got it all under control" yet each time I could see a slight fear in their eyes and a hesitation to even acknowledge that it was all under control. When, at lunch the guys said things along the lines of "we don't know how to make cheese dip - I hope it turns out" it didn't cause me to arrive with high expectations.

To be honest with you, I went into tonight expecting to have fun, have a half-decent dinner but more than that to simply enjoy the fellowship with my brothers and friends. I knew I would have a good time, and I knew we would have something edible for dinner, but that was about it. The guys sent us upstairs as soon as we got there so they could finish the preparations. When they called us downstairs I was in awe. Never in a million years did I expect what was waiting for us in the dining room. What a beautiful spread!!! What preparation and detail they put into this event simply to bless and encourage us. What a clear picture of the unfailing love of my Savior - the minute details were planned. The entire thing was breathtaking. Nothing was random. Everything was planned and detailed. All the way down to the napkins spiraled around simply to make it pretty. Seriously, what guy would think to "spiral" a stack of napkins?? God was at work here and my respect and love for these guys was exponentially increased.

Biblical manhood was on display in a glorious way. You expect to see "men" at a SuperBowl party but we saw giants (and I'm not talking the team). Our drinks were not empty once (well, maybe once or twice when they were spilled). The whole time, the guys were caring and serving - it was an ongoing thing. They were not there for the game. They came to serve so that we could enjoy.

It was as if God was speaking to me and saying "Emily - look at what these guys did for all of you - they did this to serve all of you and they did it with joy and out of love for you. This is what I do too. I gave for you - I planned each event down to the most minute detail simply to show you my love. Nothing that happened here was random and nothing that happens in your life is random. Nothing here happened without sacrifice. Look at how much I love you! Look at the care I give! Not only did I meet your needs, I did it in a way that was good for you (hurray for fresh pineapple and grapes), in a way that was beautiful and specific and in a way that you enjoyed! Most of the work they did was behind the scenes and most of what I do in your life is the same - often you are unaware of the care I give - often you are unaware that I'm the One who's holding you up in the waves. But even when you're unaware - I'm there. And in my kindness for you, my Child, I give you little glimpses of who I am and what I've done and am doing."

Tonight was a glimpse. It was only the fringes of His ways. What lavish care my Father dumps on me. What amazing undeserved grace. WOW! I am still in tears as I think about it. During the prayer before dinner as JB was praying we'd be encouraged and blessed and that we would know how much we were loved - I don't think he fully knew the depths that it would go in my heart. What a magnificient, awe-inspiring, undeserved, beautiful friend my Jesus is!

Job 26:14 Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?"