I found myself sitting in a classroom again after all these years, the first day in an advanced math class, of all things. Probably because I slept through most of Algebra and Trigonometry in high school, and Statistics was a foreign language to me in college, fear was rising from within.
The teacher was a familiar face, a German lady that had lived through the Holocaust. She smiled as everyone went around the room talking about what had brought them to this class. One woman stood up and said “I’m tired of living for everybody else, and I want to be more genuine.” Another friend from childhood who had worn a patch over one of his eyes told of having new eyes that could see clearly again after many years. As I wondered why I was there, my fear became gratitude. A song swelled in my heart, and before I knew it, we were all singing, “Blessed Jesus. Blessed Jesus, Thou has bought us. Thine we are…”
The teacher went over and prudently closed the door, but looked up with a satisfied smile on her face. It was in that moment, I turned around and saw three students who were not singing but had an anger about them. The young girl said, “This is evil!” I said, “I’m so sorry.” I felt their sense of exclusion. “But you must see that we are singing from a place of love that compels our thanksgiving to our Lord. Isn’t there something here that you can be thankful to your god for?” But their faces burned with more anger.
This was a dream I had last night. I awoke singing this song that we sang in church when I was young. I know why it was a classroom but I’ll save that for another post. I remembered the oppression even within the walls of the classroom. Yet there was a freedom for everyone in Christ that is so hard to explain, and a compulsion from inside that demanded our worship and praise. The teacher represented someone who had lived through the oppression–a very real need I have right now to know we will survive the current days of oppression, (though they will get worse before they get better.) Freely worship Him today with hearts filled with gratitude.
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalm 100:4
Savior, like a shepherd lead us,
much we need thy tender care;
in thy pleasant pastures feed us,
for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
annette geffert 
Your writing style is so compeling however your subject matter is what is so important. Yes, we are all beginning to wonder about this world we live in and seek to know God more personally.
As I experience Him delivering me from my disasters and the disasters I didn’t create because of His abundant Grace and Mercy I just want to Praise Him all the more.
Pastor Greg delivered a great message that spoke to me this morning. The chior and orchestra spoke huge and to see Joan and John Brunson sitting across the aisle and know what God is bringing them through right now is tremendous encouragement to me.
I praise God for the church He has provided for me on this earth. Thank you for being part of the church that worships Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
I’m so grateful to have been chosen to be “included” in His family of believers. So very grateful! What a dream! Sounds like you woke up well rested. I’m looking forward to your post about why it was in a classroom. Talk with you soon.
Love, Angie xoxo