contemplating life

It’s midnight again, another night this week where I’m up late. Just thinking again. I’ve had a revelation in the last week that instead of just being a stay at home mom I want to be a “friend” to other women who need a listening ear or a word of encouragement. Last week at church our pastor challenged us to think about areas of our life where we’d become complacent, I know that I havent been doing my best to serve others. I’ve been doing my best to keep the house clean, the kid happy and fed, and the laundry put away. Aside from that I cant say I much impact anyones life. I have a lot more time than other people do so I figure I should put my time and energy to work for a greater cause then a clean house. My first step was to call a friend whom I knew was going through some struggles w/ trying to conceive, as we are and were before Caleb. I called her the day that the pastor challenged us w/ his sermon. I didnt actually make plans to get together w/ her til almost a week later. The days leading up to our meeting I kept reading in our bible study about women who had overcome being barren in the bible and gave birth to mighty men of God. I didnt know that those were going to be the things I studied that week, but it made me more prepared for my meeting w/ my friend. Not only did I feel like I was able to help her out w/ some words of encouragement, but she was able to bless me as well w/ her friendship. I knew I was doing the right thing.

i thought of another mom who needed a friend and sought out what I could do to be there for her. Another day I sought out another new mom who I knew was struggling w/ her new role as a mom and did my best to reach out to her. For the last week I have done my best to impact other womens lives in a loving Godly way. The best feeling I got was after I spoke w/ or saw these women I felt comforted in my heart. I know I was intending for this to be a time for me to reach out to others but out of every experience I took w/ me something that changed me or helped me see myself better. It’s funny how God can use us to touch others in need and at the same time help us in our times of need through the way we touch others. Did that make any sense?

I’m not trying to say I’ve been a great Christian this last week I just wanted to share how easy it is to serve others. It may be just making a phone call to let someone know you are there for them, or it may be babysitting their child so they can breathe for once, it may be as easy as sending a card of encouragement, or as simple as a hug and a smile. Sometimes all people need is a friend. Too often religion is pushed down our throats, I believe it’s more important to love one another and to show through loving relationships what Christ’s life and love is all about so that others will want to be a part of that type of relationship and in turn will want to serve others w/ that same type of love.

I think for me I’ve often become content to live my sheltered life and too often forget that life’s a lot easier when you’ve got others around you who are struggling like you are. Misery loves company they say, but I dont know that many people who like to spend a moment of joy all alone either. As humans we have a need to communicate, whether it’s about the good the bad or the ugly, we all need to share it with someone. I’m glad I have friends to share with and I hope I can be an active listener and always have open arms for those who dont have friends they can turn to.

I’ve had a very strangely challenging week, emotionally, physically and spiritually. It’s almost too much for me to handle w/out sharing it with someone, so you are the lucky one, thanks for taking the time to read !!!