Sunday, however, I traveled to Oxford to meet up with a friend doing ministry there with refugees, and a friends studying at the university. As beautiful as Oxford was, the real treat was our conversations over burgers at the pub and over tea and scones in the afternoon. Grace and Bex hadn't met eachother before, as I know them from different points in my life, but as we all sipped our tea and spread clotted cream on our scones, the conversation flowed smoothly and unhaltingly. We share a love for the Lord, an affinity for tea, and a mutual friend (me!), which created the perfect environment for life-giving conversation.
Honestly, it probably doesn't matter what we discussed, but the connection we made fed my soul in a way it has hungered for lately. The sermon I heard at Magdalen Road Curch that morning was about some of Jesus' last words before he died: "I'm thirsty." To which the answer was a sponge soaked in wine vinegar. The pastor challenged us to thirst after Christ, for the righteousness that comes from a relationship with him, for the everlasting peace which only he can provide. On that cross, Christ took upon himself not only our sins and sorrows, he took on our thirst for everything that does not satisfy. My soul hungers and thirsts for connection. I can find that connection in friendships and human relationships, but that will never satisfy. After the burger at the pub, I needed to eat again. The hunger returned. But a relationship with Christ lasts and satisfies forever.
That said, we still need human connection. And God works through friends like Bex and Grace to provide the needed moments of peace and connection. We have a need to be known. And in that Oxford cafe, I was known by my friends, but more importantly, by my savior.
Silliness with the cousins!
Tower Bridge over the Thames
The Tower of London
It was a very windy day, and Charis was quite chilly, so I lent her my coat!
Taming of the Shrew at the Globe. Phenomenal performance.
The Globe at night
St. Paul's, also at night.
Had to visit this street on my way out to Oxford!
Can you believe the beautiful weather I got this weekend?
The door which supposedly inspired a certain children's book (insert something about lions, or was it a witch?)
Grace, Bex, and I after afternoon tea. (Don't forget your Oxford commas, people!)
The whole crew on tower bridge! (Minus our photographer, Aunt Rachel!)
