Cold, grey, November rain dripped down my windows all day, but the chill couldn’t extinguish the warm glow in my heart.

The rhythm of my classroom missed a few steps throughout the day, as tends to happen on rainy Mondays with sleepy and giggling students.

But my wax warmer was glowing brightly, the scent of “Silent Night” was in the air, all 23 of my people were at school today… and the preciousness of yesterday still warms my heart.

All through the moments of today, I know that God has been good… that He is still good.

Yesterday was a milestone in my life – a day to pause and reflect on how much God has done in my life, and brought me to places I never imagined.

After almost a year since I first visited there, I’m now a member of the church I’ve been attending – I can truly say I’m part of my church.

Yesterday, standing at the front of the now familiar building, I was nervous. Public speaking, I’ve learned, is highly intimidating to me.

Yet I felt such joy as I was received into membership… and knowing that the people in the benches have welcomed me to a place with them fueled my confidence as I shared a testimony of God’s faithfulness in my life.

Today, the sweet notes from friends grace my desk, reminding me that yesterday really did happen. And as I go about my week, I can look forward to communion with the congregation on Sunday.

There’s a beautiful thing about belonging…

About finding home…

Even though a few years ago I never imagined that I’d be here today, I can see now the ways God was preparing me for this place.

“As I look back on all of my days,

So many times, in so many ways

I have been blessed and all I can say is

God has been good.”

The path has been winding. I’m sure it will bend unexpectedly again throughout my life.

But, tonight I am contented, knowing that God’s faithfulness runs as a golden thread binding every change together.

With all my heart, I can say, God is still good!