Big leaps

This summer is a summer of firsts. Heading to an internship at St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe, Kansas, this is the first time I have been this far from home. The first time I have taken a long road trip by myself. The first time I've been to Kansas City. In short, this summer I was going to be working at a church I had never seen with people I had never met in a city to which I had never been. So the week before I left, I was excited but also apprehensive. I was leaving the familiar and taking a leap of faith into a totally new experience.

My mom could tell this was bothering me, though outwardly I painted the picture of being completely calm, cool, and collected about the whole adventure. The night before I left, as I was packing my things she sat with me and reminded me of something--I always do this. I plan big adventures for myself, get scared about how they are going to turn out, and then end up having a fabulous time. I've been doing it since I was a little girl. With my mom's wisdom in mind, I packed my car the next morning and headed north.

From the moment I arrived in the church parking lot, I knew this was going to be an exceptional summer. I was welcomed with open arms like I was a long lost family member. I have only been here for three days, and I have yet to attend a single service here, but I already feel like I belong. Saint Andrew is a loving, caring community. People have opened their homes and their hearts to me without even knowing anything about me. I am so excited to be here with these people in a church that is living out the ministry of Christ in so many ways. I can't wait to be in worship with them, work alongside them, minister with them, and learn from them.

God calls us all to make leaps of faith. We never know what will happen when they do, but I can already tell that the leap I have just made is going to turn out beautifully.

Michelle Harvick is in her fourth year as a HELM Leadership Fellow and is a member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arlington, Texas.