Welcome to Moments with Mal! This has always been a running joke/phrase used by my family when I tell stories, so it only seemed right that it would be how I started these blog posts!
The moment I wanted to share and reflect on this month was Mary Young’s Spiritual Formation class. It was our very first class after our retreat, and I feel like it just directed us in such a perfect way before the busy fullness and fun of our schedules. At Mary’s class we took time to reflect on scripture, and then there was just an hour carved out for us to rest with God. There was no pressure to produce any kind of devotional or spiritual awakening- only the hope that we would simply just be. It’s hard to do this, but it is also hard not to let your brain wander during this time. I often spend time with God and have an agenda- like do this devo, pray these things, etc., but this time I didn't have those constraints. The following weeks then got more full with things to do and people to meet, so it is hard to find this chunk of time to just do this which makes starting the month with this kind of time so special.
During that moment, I went to Mary’s backyard (it’s beautiful) and just took a moment to take in all the nature around me. From working at camp, I’ve always felt closer to God by just being outdoors, so I started to take it all in and rest when these tall purple flowers caught my eye in her garden. There are all these leaves that lead up to one purple, delicate flower at the top of the stem, and I noticed that the flower leans towards the sunlight. At first, the purple petals caught my eye, but then I noticed the leaves that trail up the long stem were all leading and pointing up to the beauty of the flower too. Oh, how God does the same with each of us!
There’s something different about each of us that catches others’ attention, but when you really take a look back, you see all these stories, experiences and characteristics that all make up the beauty of each person. The growth of these flowers are all different. Some have bloomed. Some are still growing, and even some sway in the wind as I took it all in. We also sway at times and are still growing. As we grow in faith too, we try to face towards the Lord just like the flowers face the sun. Each flower is clothed with beauty, as well as each person, and that beauty reveals more of Jesus to those around them. From first glance, you just see the flower or the thing that draws you into becoming friends with a person, but more is revealed through the moments you share together, and more of Jesus is revealed too!!
Sooooo some moments I’ve seen Jesus through my other fellows after just getting to know them this month:
Derren- she is patient which I saw in how she sat with the high school girls during cabin time at camp
Madelyn- she is kind and walks alongside you and talks through any and everything, our Thursday walks brighten my day!!
Matt- he can and will connect with everyone through stories and we’re besties because of it
Linsey- she was my first one-on-one on our retreat and she made me feel so welcomed through our conversation
Neil- we will talk Clemson football so thank goodness, but he also is there for any game night or activity, he’s dependable
Alec- he can bring people together whether that’s to play pickleball (which so fun!!) or just through teaching different cooking techniques
Emily- her joy can fill a room like when we laughed all the way to neighbor to neighbor or while making tiktoks
Ian- he is so funny, and his humor and stories create this fun community within the fellows
Janie- thankful we could bond over the Queen because she is also so thoughtful, and I love all our coffee runs to Jubala!
Ashley- she invites us all in, whether over to her house for roundtable or just inviting us in to be ourselves in this new community like her and I sang Taylor Swift the whole first week!
