Hey, It's Good to be Back Home Again!

It’s almost two weeks in Austin's super-hyper-mode. I woke up this morning thinking “Yikes – my yard hasn’t been watered in two weeks! I didn't pack enough vitamins! A stack of mail and lots of projects await me at home!" But, oh, the joy in Austin that peaked over the weekend when my family was altogether for Mother’s Day! I'm so grateful! Did this soul so much good to have all this love around me! Here are a few pics of the fun! There has been no-social-distancing amongst us all – unlike my little quiet, solitude world back home! But, I'm singing with John Denver "It's good to be back home again!"

My home represents for me....my space, my bed, my pictures, my refrigerator, my pantry, my shower, my TV, my computer where I can type my next blog with peace and quiet, my cozy chair where I spend time with the Lover of my soul -- where "in His presence is fullness of joy"!

Yes.....there really is no place like home sweet home, but, wherever I am is really home -- because where He is, I'm HOME! I’ll drive into my garage later today and these words will ring loud and true for me: "You're not alone. You're coming home to Jesus." I mean that in the most literal way. Yes, I may be alone....but I am not lonely. That said, there is an important distinction to be established. There is a world of difference between solitude and loneliness, though the two terms are often used interchangeably. Loneliness is marked by a sense of isolation. We sure know that word from our quarantine, don’t we? But, it is possible to be with people and still feel lonely.

I've chosen "solitude" -- the state of being alone without being lonely. It is a positive way of appreciating ME. I have learned that my place of being alone is often where I find myself absolutely wonderful company. But, even more so, my aloneness and solitude is so incredibly heartwarming when I know that my Savior is there with me. He doesn't demand the remote control and His clothes don’t take up too much room in my closet. He doesn't care what food I'm eating and doesn't mind if I stay up late, or turn in early. He is such a gentle and loving friend that He doesn't even mind if I don't talk to Him that much, but He sure is ready to talk when I give Him my full attention.

This place of refuge with Him is so satisfying. It replenishes my soul and weary body. If I had chosen "loneliness" 9-1/2 years ago, I would have been discontented and sad, but I chose solitude that awaits me and my Best Friend. It's been a blast and a blessing to be with my family -- and I'm thanking God so much for this sweet time, but in a few hours, I’ll open the door of my home and I know it will invite me in like an old friend. Yes, there's no place like home.

Who is YOUR Someone?

President Ronald Reagan coined the phrase: “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” That quote speaks volumes to me when I think about the "someones" that might have passed my way, literally....passed, without me giving them a second thought. I might have been so caught up in my own little world, I didn't even notice the "neon sign" that God was flashing or maybe it wasn't flashing -- it was the face of a lonely or hurting "someone", and I missed them.

God sends "someones" to us as the answer to their prayers and because we have prayed to be the answer to someone's prayer. We pray or sing: "Make me more like You, Jesus, make me more like You. Give me a heart that's filled with love and make me more like You." And, though we mean well as we pray and sing those words....we are so distracted by this and that, that we miss the opportunities to be His hands extended. Shouldn't we slow down and be intentional and focused to be that difference maker to a "someone"?

We can't be an encourager to everyone but we can be an encourager to someone. We can create our own version of that sentence, too: "I can’t be a ___________ to everyone but I can be a ___________ to someone. What would you write there—friend, leader, mentor, counselor, teacher?

Whatever and whoever it is, I’m convinced it matters. So, let's ask: “Who is my someone?” In other words, who do I know that God has asked me to serve today? It’s another version of the parable Jesus told of the shepherd who left the ninety-nine to go look for the one. I don’t think this literally means we’re only to serve one person. I think it’s more about understanding that we’re not called to anonymous crowds. We are called to relationships and connecting with each other in meaningful ways that heal and restore.

Jesus didn't heal everyone in Israel while He was here. Instead He lived with focus and intention, only doing what His Father asked Him to do. Aw! FOCUS and INTENTION! Following His example means we don't have to be that "someone" that EVERYONE needs. We can let go of that guilt that we are not doing more. But, we sure can love well the people right in front of us with focus and intention, and trust God is the One taking care of the whole big, wide world. We can’t be all things to everyone but we can be something to someone today.

Being One-Another Minded

I wasn't in the "in-crowd" growing up. You know -- the crowd where everyone knew each other -- gathered together in their little groups, ate together, in clubs together, hung out together at recess. I was a shy child. I know that's hard to believe. Instead of going to the outgoing kids, my mom coaxed me to look for the other kids who are by themselves. She told me to show interest in them and ask questions about what they like. “If you care for others, you won’t be lonely yourself.” That nudging from my mom still serves me well today. At first it was hard to overcome my nervousness to talk to others I didn’t know. But over time, I learned to say hi to any girls who were sitting alone. I became more comfortable and now – here I am, many decades later, and I still follow my mom’s advice when I’m in a room filled with people I don’t know. Look for the lonely. I assure you. They are just hoping someone will speak to them.

It’s easy to walk into a crowded room and either stick with the people we know or hide in a corner with a phone. Yet this verse tells us otherwise: “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 12:10) We’re instructed to consider others. Introverts have difficulty making that first move toward a stranger. Believe me. I know. But as God’s children, we step out of our comfort zones and reach out as a service to the Lord -- looking for the lonely, looking for ways to bless others. "One another” is mentioned twice in that scripture. It shows us how important loving others is to God. Opening up the medicine cabinet right with the CURE for loneliness and shyness. Being “one another” minded. When we purposelly look to serve others, our shyness will melt away and we will make heart-to-heart connections.

I really wasn't outgoing, but I learned "to have friends, show yourself friendly". Now I have so many brothers and sisters in Christ. Please dear friends know that you are not alone! You are part of God’s beautiful, loving family. What if we began to pray and humble ourselves to become God's servants who live a life of ONE ANOTHER LIVING? "What can I do for you? What can I do for others that helps them to win?" We're ALL on the same team -- we're God's kids, and we represent our Father. Everyone will know us by being on the LIGHT side by our love for one another. All for ONE -- ONE for all.

God Fills the Shoes of the Best Friend EVER

A week ago, I blogged about how important friends are to our well-being. Then, after being in a room of people that I didn’t know and feeling rather lonely amidst those who knew each other and were carrying on conversation and laughing, I gave that blog a second thought. Now I realize there may be those that my blog struck a less-than-harmonious chord. I thought through my blissful expression of friendships and how grateful I was for so many in my life, but I started thinking about those who may be wrought with loneliness, over and over again and may be crying out to God asking, “Where are my deep friendships?” Mother Teresa said, “The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” I felt that in that room.

In a perfect world, my idea of a deep friendship is composed of two people who love each other so deeply that it’s a bit overwhelming. If we’re discouraged, our friend is there to listen and encourage us. If we’re excited, she’s the one throwing a party. If we’re frustrated, he’s the one pulling us out of it and helping us change our attitude to joy. They ask all the right questions at all the right times and are 100% invested in the story God is writing through our lives.

Basically, this perfect friend is birthed straight out of 1 Peter 4:8 which says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.” Perhaps you read those words and discontent overshadows you. “Where are those friends?” As many friends we have or as few – those multitude-of-sins covering friends, just may be hard to come by – even the "bestest" of best friends may have difficulty with that much love. But here’s what I know with all certainty – there is that kind of friend and He is found here in Psalm 62:1-2. It says: “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Go ahead. Breathe those words in. God’s answer to our prayers comes to you and me saying....“I am the only One Who can love you like that; I am the only One Who can perfectly meet your longings.”

We can’t deny that our Heavenly Father is the friend who exceeds expectations. When we are discouraged, He’s there to comfort us. When we are excited, He rejoices alongside us. When we’re frustrated, He reminds us to choose His great joy. He doesn’t have to ask the right questions at the right times because He knows our heart – He knit us together in our mother’s womb and is 100% invested in who we are. Our Father is the only One Who is fully capable of living out 1 Peter 4:8. He loves us deeply, because His love covers all of our sins.

We learn that our soul truly finds rest in Him alone. And as soon as we get that, the weight will fall off our friendships. Released from the bondage of our expectations, everyone around us becomes beautiful and they have the potential to be our friend without expectations. We don’t have to have deep relationships. Of course we want to love and be loved, but no matter what our friendships look like, our deepest longings will never go unmet; God has already filled those shoes.

Life is About Relationships

I continue to learn that the things that matter most in this life are relationships – not accomplishments. One of my young friends called and asked if we could meet for brunch to talk about a project that may turn into a new ministry outreach for our church. She wanted my advice. I loved that she called on me -- "the older woman" helping the younger as taught in Titus 2:3-5. I suggested she come to my home where we would be less distracted. I received a text from her: “Can I bring ___ with me?” I was pleased to welcome her, too. Then I received another text, “How about ___? Can she come, too?” Of course she could. Now we were an even number of four and my brunch-planning went into action. I wanted it to be a sweet time of celebrating these young women who have hearts to reach out to lonely and hurting people with God’s love.

Table was set with love in mind, fresh flowers in the vases, made a vegetable quiche, French toast casserole and mixed berries with yogurt and granola. At each place setting were cards that read: “You really do love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is obvious by your heart of gold that would rather serve than to be served. Well done, good and faithful servant! “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24.

This mama's heart was overjoyed with their excitement to make a difference in people’s lives. Their enthusiasm motivated me to say “yes” when asked me to be a part of their team. I am honored to align with those precious young women. This second photo is our second meeting at one of their homes! Relationships matter.

The Bible is very clear about what really matters in life: “If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, all that matters is your faith that makes you love others” (Galatians 5:6). Honestly, it’s hard for me to understand the awful animosity in our country these days. How can people sleep without a clear conscience of knowing "this day I lived a life of love”. If we’re not loving, then nothing we say will matter, nothing we know will matter, nothing we believe will matter, and nothing we give will matter. And, if we don’t live a life of love, nothing we accomplish will matter. “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m nothing without love”. (1 Corinthians 13:3)

It’s as simple as this: We can have the eloquence of an orator, the knowledge of a genius, the faith of a miracle worker, the generosity of a philanthropist, and the achievements of a superstar, but if we don’t have love in our heart, it is worth zero. It doesn’t count. The only thing that matters to God is this: Do we love Him, and do we love others?

One day we’re going to die, and we’re going to stand before God. When He evaluates our life, He’s not going to look at our bank account or our list of accomplishments. He won’t care about all our sports trophies. He’s not going to look at our endorsements or our resume. God is going to evaluate our life on one basis: our relationships. He’s going to ask, “How much did you love Me and other people?” That’s called the Great Commandment. Did you love God with all your heart, and did you love your neighbor as yourself?

THAT love is a sure winner. That love makes us winners. That love IS about relationships – not accomplishments!

Alone, Lonely or Solitude