Family. Yes, Even Here.

I've always thought that if the family of God is really the family of God, I should be able to go anywhere, and have family.

Today, I discovered this was, indeed, true.

This summer, I will be completing a required internship for my degree; one of the many requirements for this internship is that I have a mentor to discuss various ministry topics and happenings with.

Through a friend, I was introduced to Stuart, a pastor from Southport, a town only about 20 minutes away from Formby. Stuart was my friend's pastor, with whom she's quite close, so she matched us up and after a series of emails, we planned to meet today.

So there I was, standing in the Southport train station under the M&S sign, where Stuart said he'd meet me. An hour later, I've just shared life with someone who was previously only a few characters on my computer screen.

Stuart and I grabbed a cup of coffee at a shop near the train station; we talked about my experience at Moody, my family, my time here in Formby, about his life and his ministry and his family. He took me for a quick tour of the church he pastors, as well as introduced me to his co-pastor Adam; a huge blessing is that they offered me their libraries over the summer, which saves me a lot of work (and luggage space) from carting books over this summer.

Our time together was quite brief-we were together for just about an hour. It was, however, one of the most encouraging hours I've ever experienced, and I looking forward with great anticipation to this summer.

So, today, I met a brother from across the pond. We talk often of six-degrees of separation; but I am beginning to think that in the Kingdom, there is truly only One, Christ Himself. Without Christ, Stuart and I would never have had an opportunity to meet--which would be truly sad.

So I am thankful for today, for the simple blessing of meeting another one of God's people in another one of God's places. I am thankful for the blessing that even here, across the pond, I have family.

"Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers..."

---Hebrews 13:1-2a