Capernwray Thoughts: Part 9 and 10

Part 9

 Something I loved about Capernwray were all the church services and how much changed in me every time I went. One never knew what the service would be like or who would give the sermon or if there even would be a sermon. Because there were different worship teams, music was always a little different too and I just loved every service.

 Some were very difficult to get through because the sermon topics were so relevant and became so personal and somehow had this way of going right to your heart and all you wanted to do was fall down before God and have a good cry. I just hate crying in front of people, just can’t do it and yet a wise person once told me that crying is a sign of letting go of what you’re stubbornly holding on to.

 There were a good many church services, especially in first term, where I just disregarded the fact that I was with other people and just let the tears flow. The wonderful thing was, there were others doing the same thing! It was such a safe place to cry and I always felt better afterwards. God used those services a lot to speak to me.

 The music was one of my favourites times as well and I still miss our times of singing at Capernwray. I got chills so often during a song as I thought of all of us there, each one so unique, from all different countries, praising one amazing Father together. Before then I didn’t really have any idea what heaven would be like but Capernwray gave me just a small picture of that. And while I know not to keep chasing that now that I’m back home, I have something beautiful and amazing to look forward to.

Part 10

 One of the smallest and most random moments that has stuck with me persistently happened one day when I was out in Carnforth, the small town near the Hall. I’d been living in England for about four or five months by then and had adopted what so many British people do; smiling or saying hello to every passerby. One doesn’t think about it but just a simple smile can truly brighten someone’s day, even if you say nothing at all.

 I had sort of thought about this but didn’t quite think it too important until I was doing some shopping. I was walking to a big shopping mart, heading towards the open doors and a rather scruffy looking man was coming out. Somewhere in my mind I first felt a little wary but then I scolded myself and smiled as I passed him by. After that, my thoughts were already on my shopping list but suddenly he called out to me.

 He had stopped walking and looked at me with a big smile. Then he said something that I constantly have floating around in my head now. “Thank you for smiling at me, young lady. Not too many people do and it’s just so nice! Have a lovely day!” And then he just walked away and I felt like I’d just been in a scene from a book.

 Still, though that moment was about twenty seconds long, it’s been one of the most powerful moments of my life and now that I’m back home, I don’t hesitate to simply smile at everyone who passes by. You never know how a smile might affect someone and as we know, God uses everything. Even something as small and simple as a smile at a stranger.