A praise night to remember

Singing, Praising, Shouting, Dancing, Praying, Jumping... the things I miss about praise nights at HoC (Home of Christians).

8 years ago was the first time I stepped into an HoC praise night, and the thing I remember about it most was how people didn't care about what others thought when they worshipped. People singing straight from their hearts, people yelling "Jesus" and "hallelujah" at the top of their lungs, others jumping and touching the very high ceiling, and most raising their hands, all in worship of our glorious and beautiful God.
The praise nights continued on for years throughout High School and some of college, and thats where I learned to worship God with all of my heart.

8 years later... I found myself standing at a very place. The songs were a little different, the people were older, but I saw the same worship. Something so real, so amazing, so filled with love for our Holy Father. This time though, unlike the past, I was able to worship without having to feel like I needed to come to God to relieve my feelings and my burdens.

if you don't know what I mean, I'll explain it a little bit. Especially in High School with my emotions out of control, I, like many people at that age, was always attracted to some female at every point in life. Many times, my outlet for my feelings was those praise nights, I would come before God so that I could lay everything before his feet and that he could reset my priorities. I found myself, time and time again, coming before God so that I can lay my burdens down, and then worship and jump and dance freely. The cycle continued on for years...

But today was different. As I was on my knees today in prayer, I realized something. Sure, I had to ask for forgiveness for a lot of my sins, but I had no burdens that I had to lay, no real repriortizing that I needed to do, I didn't feel emotionally drained, or anything like that. I felt free.
It was definitely awesome because I found myself smiling and laughing uncontrollably as we worshipped tonight. Jumping, Dancing, Yelling, Praising, all for a God who deserves that and so much more. Maybe... just maybe, I was able to encourage and bless through my worship, just as those 8 years ago had blessed me.

It feels good to be free. It feels good to be content in my singleness. It feels good to be worshipping with all that I have.

praise the Lord.