Convenience or Relationships?

Three days ago, I ordered two items on Amazon Prime. The items arrived two days later. Sometimes, it's next day. How convenient is that? I didn't have to leave my house!! My daughters often order their groceries from Instacart (Instacart is a grocery delivery service where personal shoppers pick up and deliver the groceries to your door within an hour). How much time does that save? They don't have to leave their home! We may go to church, but we sit at the back, then we're in and out without engaging in conversation with others. We drive into our automatic-garage-door garages -- so we never really converse with our neighbors. We sit at a dinner table -- and rather than being engaged with others at the table, we are texting or surfing on our cell phones.

Where am I going with these observations? I shared this because of a message I heard from Pastor Ryan Malouff at Expression Church in Austin last Sunday (where my kids attend). I perked up when he said, "We've gotten lazy in our approach to relationships. We opt for less conversation and more instantaneous convenience. Once upon a time, our society was about interacting, purposely engaging in conversations -- getting to know each other."

Whatever happened to "relationship" building -- making the effort to get to know our neighbors, our kids' teachers, other kids' family members, attending various groups of interest to get to know others and be a blessing to them.

Think about Jesus. He was a mingler. He went out of his way to engage in conversation (i.e., the Samaritan woman at the well, visits to Mary, Lazarus and Martha's home, spending time cultivating relationships with His disciples, going to Zacchaeus' house and speaking to him and his family about God's love for them). When we're avoiding relationships, we are missing the opportunity to be an encourager to them. Did you know we can be the CEO of our lives? We can all be Chief Encouragement Officers. We can be a light that others need in their lives.

"If you want friends, you must first show yourself friendly." Proverbs 18:24. I've taken that scripture to heart as I've forced myself to be a part of women's groups, Bible Studies, meet my neighbors, attend meetings at my community center, and hang around after church to meet and greet others in the family. I can't stay cooped up and withhold the goodness of God that someone is craving to have. How about you?

Not Looking for a Celebration -- I AM a Celebration Looking For a Place to Land!

This is my friend, Debbie Moutsos! I do hope you'll meet her someday because you'll know you have met a celebration when you do. Several weeks ago she sent out these birthday invitations to her own party. From Woodstock to Medicare -- Debbie is Turning 65.

Last night was that party -- and it was everything she had hoped it would be. So many friends from around the country came to celebrate this full-of-life gal. One of her friends stood up to talk about her. She said, "I don't think I've ever met anyone who was so excited to turn 65 so they could get Medicare!"

It's true. I've heard it said many times "I can't wait until I'm 65 when I can get Medicare!" Those of us who were paying those high dollar insurance premiums monthly, can wholeheartedly agree with Debbie. I sure did. We paid into that benefit and it sure feels rewarding when we must have a doctor appointment, a procedure or even a hospital stay and we read "Bill Paid in Full".

Ever hear someone complain or be sad because their birthday went way under the radar. It seemed everyone forgot their special day and it made them feel so unappreciated. It even caused them to go into a deep depression. That's because their happiness depended on others and what they did or didn't do for them. In Debbie's case, she didn't wait to be celebrated. She prepared, organized, paid a substantial amount for the incredible meal to be catered -- a 5-Star meal at that.

She had a tremendous band there -- which created the desire to dance and sing along. Debbie danced with just about every man that was there -- young or old. She even announced "I've lost 20 pounds because of my water aerobics class (her instructor was at the party) and I'm going to lose 20 more because I'm looking for a man!" She has no filter! LOL!

The fact is, Debbie could have easily taken the money she spent on this party and gone on a cruise or extended vacation, but instead, she wanted to extend her love and appreciation to her friends and family -- far and near. With or without a party....Debbie always is The-Life-of-the-Party! You can hear her laughing from afar.

W

Why am I making such a big deal about Debbie's birthday celebration? Because, she taught me something. When she moved to Tulsa from South Padre Island two years ago, she had one friend here. She had to start all over with meeting new friends. She did and last night -- she expressed how much she loves her Hyde Park Family!! She was willing to get out of her comfort zone and start over again with new friends. Proverbs 18:24 says "To have friends, show yourself friendly." Debbie has got that down pat!

In life, it's easy to get stuck on a "What about me?" mentality. But then comes along a Debbie who, instead of saying "What about me?", says "It's all about me -- so let's throw ME a party!" That's how I want to live. I want to be a celebration just looking for a place to land -- so let's start NOW....planning our gratitude and thanksgiving party! I'm sure the whole town will want to be there....because we're just that kind of fun-loving, fun-acting and love-giving kind-of-people!

To Have Friends, Show Yourself Friendly

Day 173 of Photo Inspirations – To Have Friends, Show Yourself Friendly
Don’t you love it when someone texts or calls unexpectedly and invites you to dinner tonight?  You don’t have to cook, or think about where to eat out, and you get to spend time with friends.

Proverbs 18:24 says:  “To have friends, show yourself friendly.”   The Proverbs contain much wisdom about being a friend and HOW to find a friend.

I’ve heard adults and children say that they didn’t have any friends or that they had trouble finding friends.  And there's probably a reason for it.  There is a key to having loyal friends or making friends in the first place.  We have to show ourselves friendly.   What I witnessed last night took that statement to a whole new level.

Back to my first paragraph – “Don’t you love it when someone texts or calls you unexpectedly, and invites you to dinner?”  That happened yesterday afternoon.  Two weeks ago, a new couple moved into their new home here in my neighborhood.  Usually, typical new homeowners would be thinking “I wonder if anyone will come over and welcome us to the neighborhood.”  But not this new couple.  They didn’t wait for someone else to show themselves friendly.  They stepped up to BE FRIENDLY.  The text went like this:  Meatloaf, potatoes & tomatoes & probably salad or fresh corn.  Wine (communion) at 5:30 & dinner sometime around 6:00 or 6:30!  Hope you can make it!  Pass the word!”  I thought,  “WHAT?  They just moved in here and they’re inviting us to their home before we can show ourselves friendly.”  They want friends, so they showed themselves friendly.  I called to confirm what that text meant -- and it was meant for all the single women in this community.  She and her husband went out of their way to show themselves friendly to all 8 of us.  I was so blessed by their unselfish gesture.  We got to know them -- a beautiful couple who share their life and faith with complete authenticity.  It's easy to tell they talk the talk AND walk the walk.

I saw a precious couple go the extra mile – by setting a new standard -- "Don’t wait for someone else to be friendly….YOU BE the one to show yourself friendly -- and while you're doing that.....you just might find a BFF!
P.S.  Love my Selfie Stick!!!  LOL!

Who Says Changing is Impossible?

Day 103 of Photo Inspirations -- Who Says Changing is Impossible?
I know it's hard to believe, but I was a shy, timid introvert as I grew up.  I avoided crowds, parties, and situations that caused me to HAVE to interact with people.  So, obviously, I was not voted to be "Most Popular".  And, I know it's even harder to believe that, in some respects, I am still not, by my nature, outgoing.  I literally have to force myself to walk up to people and create conversation.  But, I realized, long ago, that if I remained in that mindset, I would never have friends.  "If you want friends, you must show yourself friendly."  Proverbs 18:24

I receive devotional emails from my favorite author, Max Lucado, and this is what he said recently:  "Here's some good news.  You aren't stuck with today's personality. You aren't condemned to "grumpydom".  You are tweak-able!  So what if you were born a bigot?  You don't have to die one.  Where did we get the idea we can't change?  Where do statements come from such as "It's just my nature to worry," or...."I'll always be pessimistic.   I'm just that way."  Or, "I have a bad temper.  I can't help the way I react."  Who says?  Would we say, "It's just my nature to have a broken leg.  I can't do anything about it."  Of course not.  If our body malfunctions, we seek help.  Shouldn't we do the same with our hearts?  Can't we seek aid for our sour attitudes?  Of course we can.  Jesus can change our hearts!  He wants us to have a heart like His!"

And, I add to Max's words, if I desire to be that outgoing, optimistic, cheerful personality that others want to hang with, then, I must move out of my comfort zone, and be the gal that I want to hang with.  When I'm that gal -- others will be drawn to me, and I will be drawn to those who need me and I need them.

And speaking of tweak-able, I'm so tweak-able that today I'm leaving on a 20-day adventure to Northern Europe with some new friends and will be sharing a cabin with a gal I've never met before.  This feat would have never been possible if I had stayed in a mindset "I'll never change!"  Change is possible -- and when we are willing to change -- the doors to adventure will open wide!
#ChangeIsPossible