the Lord’s been teaching me a lot about being welcomed to His table just as i am. that this invitation is extended not because of anything i do or don’t do, just because i’m loved. as i am. 

come as you are. i want you at my table. not because of anything you’ve done, just because i love you. 

i’m invited just as i am. 

“God doesn’t want something from us. He just wants us.” - C.S. Lewis

being invited to a table means having a meal together. communion, if you will. time at the table looks like sharing stories, getting to know each other, intentionally spending time together. 

come to the table. just as you are. 

wow those sweet words. it’s something the Lord has been gently whispering to me for a while before coming to cga. thanks God. 

and now that i am here at cga, i get the privilege to be at a table surrounded by some of the coolest people. these classmates of mine are some real good friends. and we’re all here. we’re all at this table together. 

something ben, one of our teachers/facilitators, said the other day in class really sat with me. 

are you bold enough to stay at the table with your friends? 

are you willing to love them as they are? 

are you ready to sit with them in whatever they’re going through? 

are you going to celebrate with them? 

are you brave enough to tell them when they do something out of character and push them further into who the Lord calls them? 

are you patient enough to hear their stories?

are you bold enough to share your story? 

are you kind enough to pursue them and love them well? 

are you selfless enough to ask the hard questions?

are you humble enough to let them love you? 

are you passionate enough to fight for them? 

i believe i am all of these things. and i want to continue to grow in them too. 

so cheers to my table. you are welcome here. stay a while. i want to know you and be known by you. 

so here i am, boldly choosing to stay at this table with my friends and fight for them. 

will you stay and fight for your table? 

- mads

———————————— 

FUNDRAISING UPDATE WOOOOOO

i finished a t shirt fundraiser a little while ago and just wanna say THANK YOU to everyone who’s supported me so far! seriously i literally wouldn’t be here without you! i appreciate you a lot! 

i’ve still got a ways to go for fundraising, i’m raising a total of $5,950! i encourage you to ask the Lord in what ways He’s inviting you to partner with Him in giving! if you do feel led to donate, you can do so right here! on this blog! wow! just click that nice orange “donate” button at the top! or you can venmo me @maddie-chase-4 :) 

also! if you have any questions or anything please oh please reach out! i’d love to talk with you!

thanks again for everything!