I think a lot of people will tell you that January is the slowest time of the year. The fresh coat of frost on the ground in the morning, the slowly rising sun followed by constantly freezing temperatures, and the hangover after a frenzied holiday season all make January have this slow feel to it. However, what my fellows' experience has taught me is that it is so easy to feel God in the slowness. Let’s be honest, slowing down is very anti-American of us. As a society, we live a fast-paced lifestyle where if you are busy it must mean you are living life right. As they say, a full calendar equals a full life. What I’ve come to realize is that’s not always true. Here are a few things I’ve begun to notice God is doing around me as I’ve slowed down.
Lake Life- For a few of my fellow fellow’s, Lake Gaston has been all they’ve known this month and they are probably (and rightfully) tired of it. But for me, going to Lake Gaston for the John Richmond retreat was the breath of fresh air I didn’t know I needed. Before this trip to the lake, I had left that sweet batch of 35 miles of paradise with bruised ribs and covid in my previous visits. I think it's safe to say that I have this love/hate relationship that on my side is all love and on the lake’s side is more like hate. However, this weekend for me was an incredible example of what life can really live life in community. We laughed, played, rested, talked, and just existed with each other. Yes, we’ve done that every time we’ve gone to the lake, but something about this time felt different. It felt Holy. Our posture towards life felt different. It felt more real.
Noah and Jordan- As fellows, we participate in this amazingly awesome afterschool program in South East Raleigh called Neighbor to Neighbor. Each one of the fellows is paired with a student to be their mentor in either reading or math. At first you might be thinking, as I did, that we are just their to tutor and then leave. That the impact might be very little. If that is your feeling then I would challenge you to drive down there on Monday afternoons at 4:30. That is where you can see Noah interact with Jordan. It is the absolute sweetest, holiest thing that you will ever see. Anyone that looks at them is left smiling. What makes it even more special is that Jordan has lived an incredibly hard life, a life that no little girl should have to go through. But you would never know watching her interact with Noah. Her smile never leaves her face and she looks free of all the pain of the world. This past Monday, the boy I tutor, Divine (who is amazing), stopped what he was doing to look up at them. After a while of staring, I realized that he was smiling and laughing along side them. That’s what joy is. That’s what happens when you slow down.
NeighborHealth Center- Okay, so if you have been following my blogs with a close eye, you might have noticed that I haven’t really mentioned my work. Well blogger nation, here you go! During my fellows year, I have the absolute privilege of working for a non-profit health clinic determined to help the underserved in the Raleigh community. It is a fantastic example of kingdom-building work in the city of Raleigh. However, I am not involved in the clinic side at all. Instead, I work over at Summit Church in the administrative offices. At first, I was bummed not to be over at the clinic and not be working alongside any of the older fellows who were there, but I have grown to really enjoy the people I work alongside at Summit. I have loved getting to talk to them about their kids, their families, their hobbies, their favorite sports, and just their lives in general. The women and men here have loved me so incredibly well and I am so thankful for them. It’s so funny that in the slowness of this season, I’ve gotten to experience life with more people. Major shoutout to Stacy, Susan, Cherita, Amanda, Bob, Larry, and David!
-Luke Harvin