Grace Alone

Another post for today, but I can't stop praising the Lord. He is too good to me...He put me in His place in Florence where he wanted me to find community. It's a little meeting on Tuesday nights at the Methodist church where people, mainly students, come to worship the Lord and read scripture, hear a sermon, and discuss. And so much fellowship!
Tonight, it opened up with Psalm 84 - the first psalm on which I gave a lesson in Sunday School this summer - and the Lord used it to call me to Him, and showed me my need to be in his dwelling place. "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God." I read these words tonight, and singing them in the hymn was definitely the appropriate response!
We read from Jeremiah, reminding us of our failings but that God is faithful, and his covenant with his people is sure. Then, we read from Luke 18, and talked about the tax collector's prayer, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!" We prayed throughout, and we discussed the passages after hearing a sermon. The people were so real and honest, and they truly understood the gospel. Their priority was to give reverence to the Lord!
I'm just so happy to find this, to find this time that I can be committed to, to meet cool people who love the Lord, to know their names and have them know mine.
I met two girls doing a masters program in shoe design, Molly and Myra, and they were really sweet. I then met a girl a little older named Kate, whom I loved. She was down to earth and beautiful, and she and her husband are going to Barcelona this weekend as well! They're in Europe for a year taking a break; she's a doctor and he's a musician. His name is Mark Shultz - he gave me a hug tonight although I don't know him, haha. But, he's pretty well-known in the States. He led the music tonight, along with another man who played the piano and had an amazing voice. We stood and worshipped, and it was informal but reverent at the same time. I'll definitely be going back. Unfortunately I had a coughing attack and almost had to leave - spiritual warfare?
We sang "Grace Alone" and I'm so convinced this was necessary for me to hear. I've been really self-focused, very prideful since I've come to Italy. I've wanted to do all of this for ME and to do only what I wanted. I've thought I've known best, and I've treated others poorly because of my pride. Even without realizing it!
But, this hymn points me to my Maker, the one who has a purpose for me and will use me to be an instrument in his redemption of the earth. Here are some of the lyrics:
"Every promise we can make, every prayer and step of faith,
every difference we will make is only by his grace...
Grace alone which God supplies,
strength unknown he will provide.
Christ in us our Cornerstone
We will go forth in grace alone."
And it was by his grace I've been brought to the magical land of Italy, and it's by his grace I was brought to this service tonight. And my response to that is worship, awe, and to love my neighbor as God has shown his undeserved love for me.
Just had to share what God laid on my heart this evening, and rejoice in finding a church body!