Friends and Fire

Wow!  I just returned from an amazing weekend.  I work for FamilyLife®.  Every year they encourage the women to attend a women only retreat.  I attended this year and feel rekindled.  To be rekindled, is to have your fire (energy) renewed in such a way as to support a greater fire.  Think about it.  You light kindling for the purpose of building a bigger fire.  Well, it's fortunate that I feel that way as the theme really was "Women Rekindled." 

There is so much to say about the retreat; but I feel to give it the attention it deserves, I will need to really contemplate some of the ideas for a little longer before I blog on them.  The neural system is running wild with thoughts and ideas as my heart beats wildly in anticipation of what the Lord may bring from this.  With that said, I will focus on the one item that I can write on now—FRIENDS. 

One thing the Lord has shown me in the past few years is that we need friends.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.  Galatians 6:2

 I was reminded of that again this weekend.  This weekend about a hundred christian women with a cause in common met together and shared openly and honestly about life's trials.  The burdens spanned a wide variety of issues like premies, children in the military, illness, how to rear children, how to overcome betrayal, death of loved ones, and even dealing with robbery.  Not a one of us could solve another's problems, but we could listen, pray, encourage, and do small things (bake, clean, serve) to help. 

I was particularly blessed by my roommates.  They are two of the kindest, most generous, and most real people I know.  Sharon and Tammy let me share with them my struggles with forgiveness.  (That's another issue for another blog.)  I shared with them openly and honestly and they encouraged me and loved me.  THAT is what it is about my fellow christians.  Loving each other unconditionally is exactly what Christ modeled for us and exhorted us to do.  It is how the world can tell that we are God's children, because we have love for each other. 

I encourage you to find a friend for accountability and encouragement.  In your church, look for someone who shows signs of being open and real.  Someone who is active in the church and has a fire for the Lord.  If you are new to your church, ask your pastor to help you connect with someone.  We all need the encouragement. Also, be willing to listen as well as have someone listen.  Be willing to serve and willing to let someone else serve you.  I've seen and experienced the results of pride that says "I don't need help.  I can take care of myself.  This isn't big enough to bother anyone with.  I don't want to be a bother."  (You get to experience depression and the feeling that no one cares.)  When that happens, you rob yourself of one of God's gifts to you and you rob someone else of a blessing.

I hope you catch a spark from my kindling.  I have more to share and more to do.  So do you. 

What a Welcome

I had a normal morning. Trouble with the car, slow traffic, a long drive, and a late arrival would seem to be the start of a horrible day. However, upon walking into my office, Toblerone was waiting to greet me.

The Toblerone was a thank you from a co-worker that brought a smile to my face and set the tone for my day. The giver was under no obligation. It was an act of kindness. It reminds me that we can all do something to make the world around us better.

There are many people who are takers. They take all they can materially and emotionally from those in their lives. Those who take are always looking for more and will never be satiated. For these people, you should place boundaries. Know when the giving becomes too much. When possible remove these people from your life. If you are one, stop.

We can choose to be givers. Give of your time, appreciation, and talents. Most people remember the kind words and deeds that you do for them. And you never know what may result from your good deed. I am reminded of the movie Pay It Forward. For each good deed done to you, pay forward three good deeds to someone else.

Sean and Leigh Ann Tuohy are some of the more well known people, who make it a practice to do good to others. They passed that on to their children.

However, what we do doesn't have to be huge. I have a wonderful friend who's a photographer. She often pays for her Starbucks and that of the people behind her. Just holding the door for someone who has their arms full can be the one thing that goes well for that person all day.

As Leigh Ann Tuohy has said, "You think you can't make a difference, that 'my little bit won't matter.' It will matter."

The Toblerone made a difference for me.

Zoo Trip

So last week, Mulberry Baptist Church took a trip to the Little Rock Zoo. The idea was to reinforce the previous week's lesson on creation. The little ones had the opportunity to look at some of the many wonderful animals that God created. In fact, I had to opportunity to look at one a bit closer than I really wanted. During the animal show, a beautiful barn owl flew so close to me it hit the edge of my camera.

The day was beautiful, sunny, and most importantly cool. There were 25 people in our church group. Kevin and I brought four of the young one's. Two are my wonderful nephews, Joey and James. They spent the night with Aunt Bonnie and the next morning ate green eggs and ham. So while at the zoo, we looked for green chickens to replace the green eggs we used that morning. It was quite fun.

The day was definitely an answer to a five-year-old's prayer. "God, please make tomorrow fun. And make everyone have a good day. Amen."