When You Are Hosting

Lord,
Thank you for the opportunity to host people in my home. Thank you for providing me with a home that is safe place and shelter for others.  Lord give me your eyes to see those around me that may need a place to rest or a meal to eat.  Help me to see the hurting and love them the way you do.  Lord, I want to serve my family, friends, and those around me in a way that brings glory to you.  I want to make a difference and be a reflection of you and the mighty work you have done in my life. Help me to not overthink hospitality and instead use my gifts and the blessings you have poured into my life to make a impact on the lives of others.  Lord, thank you for the divine appointments you have created for me.  I'm so grateful for a full home and the ability to foster community for those around me.  Lord, help me to inspire others to invite people in and create an environment that is peaceful and full of joy. Serving others is serving you. Thank you that my home is seasoned with your grace. Make yourself known in this place.
AMEN.

Verse:
1 Peter 4:8-9
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

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A Bouquet of Friends

I'm on a making friends kick around here so I thought I would share some more thoughts on the topic. If you've read the posts under the tab "The Table" on the main menu of website you know about the community of women that God prompted me to start while living in DuBois.  At one of our meetings we had a panel of women come in to address relationships. We discussed friendship, marriage, family dynamics, parenting and so on.  One of the women that I asked to be on this panel was someone I met through my MOPS group. She was a Mentor Mom, which simply means she was a seasoned mom with grown kids, who could offer advice and support to those of us who are in the trenches with young kids and young marriages.  Her name is Toni and she is wise, funny, and deeply rooted in Christ.

At this panel someone asked a question about having friendships as a grown woman.  I can't remember the exact phrasing of the question, but Toni's answer was simple yet so profound.  It has been in the back of my mind ever since.

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When You are Grateful

Lord,
You are so good to me. Thank you for the blessings you have poured over me. Thank you for your mercy and your grace. Thank you for never leaving my side or forsaking me.  You are a God of redemption and forgiveness, restoration and faithfulness. Thank you for knowing the depths of my heart and caring for me in spite of myself.   Lord, I pray that my eyes stay fixed on you.  I want to thank you and boast in you, even when I'm feeling weak. Thank you for the people you have placed my life that point me to you.  I ask that you you would give me renewed sense of peace and that my joy would radiate to others. Thank you for giving each of us purpose. I'm so grateful that you go before me and prepare a way for me. I want to give you the glory and the honor you deserve in all I say in do.  Thank you for the sacrifices you made so that I can have freedom in you.  I love you, Lord.  All good things come from above, from you. I am so grateful.
AMEN

Verse:
Psalm 28:7
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

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Making Big Girl Friends

What does it look like to make new friends as a grown woman?  I get asked a lot how I've managed to start over in the friendship category time and time again.  In my life I've "started over" roughly seven or eight times, depending on if our definitions of "starting over" are the same. I consider it a time when you are moved or put into a situation that is new. New surroundings, new people, new home, new church, new whatever, that is going to last for an extended period of time.  I also recognize that there are many people that have done this far more times than I have.  I'm no expert, but I have managed to learn and grow A TON since my first experiences years ago.

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When You Don't Know What to Pray

Lord, 

I’m here, Lord, but I don’t have the words.  Thank you for showing up and pursuing me even when I am stagnant and communication feels hard.  You are such a good Father to me.  I’m so grateful that you know the depths of my heart and the weight that I carry without me saying the right words or any words at all.  I know that my relationship with you is the most important relationship in my life. Me being in constant communication with you matters.  Lord, bring me close to you. Pull me in. Restore me and make your presence known.  Fill me with your love so I can love others.  I take my burdens and anxiety and cast them on you.  I can do all things because you strengthen me and care for me.  You are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.  You are all knowing and all powerful.  I praise your name. You never waiver and in every season of ups and downs, you remain faithful and true.  Thank you for your unconditional love.

AMEN

Verse:
Lamentations 3:22-23
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

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