God likes me - really

The violin maker and author once said: „A life of faith means enjoying the joy that God has in me.“ In his book and his articles, he masterfully describes how he, as a violin maker, loves his material and lovingly treats it with master hands so that the full beauty and the best sound that this wood has to offer can unfold.

Slowly, it seeps deeper and deeper into my heart: God really likes me.Me. Kerstin. With my nature, what makes me happy. And what moves me. And what I need right now. I keep experiencing things that show me: He sees me. Me. With what I need right now.

Just like yesterday. The week was very physically demanding (4 hours of painting the ship's railing in the cold wind and with acrobatic interludes - my bones and muscles ached for a few days), intern in the office - great, relieving, but with someone always there, my working days are more intensive and strenuous than if I just work in front of me. And there are mountains of work right now. I noticed it on Saturday. I was really exhausted... and after the time on the boat - with great helpers - I was pretty much at the end of my tether... I even swallowed a mosquito while yawning on my bike.

I still went to a friend's house for her birthday. I was late for the party but still had a great time with her and her little family. On the way home, I felt my exhaustion again and asked God to give me something else that day that would do me good. Shortly after my prayer, I passed the illuminated Getsehmane Church in Prenzlauer Berg. There was a concert by Edgar Elgar with the full orchestra...a big choir, great soloists and a huge orchestra.... and fantastic music. I went in, sat down on a step, leaned against the wall and listened to.... and felt my body relax and my soul recharge its batteries with the music. What a gift.

And I thought of the people who had sat here before me and prayed and prayed. A huge banner hung in the church: „Watch and pray!“, the motto of the congregation that played a formative role in the peaceful revolution 25 years ago. I thought of a comment made by a Stasi officer. He is said to have said at the time: „We were prepared for everything and had expected everything - just not candles and prayers....“.