Community

Are you called to be Small?

May 11, 2012 By Jana Driggers Leave a Comment

image via alcomm | flickr creative commons

Friends, I’d like to ask you a question today: Why do you blog?

Not “why do people in general blog” or “why do you think you should blog”, but why do YOU, really?

Each of us started with something in mind when we first took that deep breath and nervously hit ‘publish‘. Was it merely a way to share photos of baby’s adorable toothless grin with faraway relatives? A love of words and stories that needed an outlet? The need to earn extra income to support your family? A desire to connect with others?

Whatever your reason, you made the commitment to put yourself out there, and that’s no small accomplishment. But somewhere along the way, it’s easy to get caught up in the game….

For the rest of this post head over to the Allume blog and join me as we discuss why we blog.

Filed Under: Bloom In Blogging, Community, Encouragement, Identity In Christ Tagged With: Allume, blogging, connecting, dreams, encouragement, small bloggers

When You’ve Run Dry

April 11, 2012 By Ashlie Oestreich 36 Comments

Sometimes, it’s all I can do just to show up.

My days are often packed to the brim, even if half of it is just the lists and expectations inside my head to do it all.

I glance around the table, and there is that awkward half-second where I’m not sure where to sit, or where I’d feel the most welcome. I’m not sure why, because I’ve known these girls for what seems like a long time, and shouldn’t we all be able to let down our hair and feel comfy without an introduction?

But, it’s been a while. Too long.

Our fingers wrap around steaming mugs, and we trade stories. The air is light, but really – I want to go deep. I don’t always know how to get there, but my soul craves it. Not just a rundown of the latest sale or the best recipe. No, I’m empty, tired, and worn thin. I’ve been pouring out much longer than my meager supply gives, and I’m bone dry. My heart feels the drought, and I pray for rain.

I’ve both looked forward to and dreaded this all day because I know how much I need it, it makes me cry to feel the loneliness in a crowd. And yet I dread it because it scares me to death. I don’t want to disappoint, and I don’t to leave disappointed. I want to reach out to others, and I need a hand to grasp mine, too – but somehow reaching that short distance across the table becomes miles long and my heart doesn’t have the strength. It’s just easier to sit back, and be comfy in my shell. To smile, nod, laugh at all the right times, and say, “I’m good, how about you?”

The coffee shop ambience envelopes us. We talk about church, and showing God’s love to the needy. Ideas for outreach and missionary trips. Good stuff, really and truly, because those things are important.

There is a lull in the conversation, and the echo of hearts beating dry and thirsty becomes loud. We all know it. We’ve seen it in each other’s eyes, but our insecurities hold us back from joining hands. Somehow in our Christian walk we’ve been fooled into thinking that showing weakness or emotion equates lack of faith and immaturity.

She swallows hard, takes a deep breath, and speaks soft and brave,

“You know, I love all of you, and I know you love me, but do we really know each other? Do we know what’s going on? Do we know how we hurt? We’re sitting here talking about how to love one another and help those in need. Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m just as needy as anyone we might hope to reach out to.”

Thud. The walls begin to fall fast.

Tension releases, shoulders sag instead of feigning strength, and breath catches.

Another girl shares, open and raw. Hearts soften and hands reach across the table. Eyes become wet and burdens are spread from weary shoulders, lightening the load for all.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

I’m convicted and I see my pride that has stood in the way of connecting. I so wanted to have it together, but in doing so I’d nearly fallen apart. I need them, His agents of grace and love like rain. He weaves our hearts together through the baring of souls, and it’s breathtaking. My eyes blur with tears, too, and He is there in our midst, pouring His love into us by His Spirit working through one another. It’s beautiful, and I drink it in. Right there, in midst of overhead music, the distant whir of the espresso machine and soft chatter…the burdens lift, the rain pours down, and we are filled.

I love that my friend was brave enough to step out, humble herself, and break through the walls of pride that keep us silent. I’m sure it blessed her to share, but it blessed the rest of us more to share in her struggle.

Because, after all, how are we to bear one another’s burdens – to pour out and receive His love into dried hearts – if all we talk about is the weather?

I don’t want to just talk about the rain.

I want to dance in it, splash in it, drink it in, and be filled.

Are you lonely or dry and feeling the need for His rain? Your soul is welcome here…how can we pray for you?

Filed Under: Community, Encouragement, Friendships, Loneliness, Sisterhood, Sisters In Christ, Womanhood

Out of Your Comfort Zone

March 16, 2012 By Daniele Evans 14 Comments

Ever got an inspiration or thought, but was kinda terrified of trying it out?

We usually don’t get too scared if we don’t have an audience. For really, where’s the risk? We plot and plan in corners, in the shadows, hoping no one notices if we pass or fail.

But often, our plan won’t make it far or reach its original potential — we need accountability. Ecstatic cheerleaders, those who’ll offer constructive suggestions and those in the journey with us. We were made for community on many levels :: encouragement, support, a tribe.

Within this network of relationship, our ideas can fly! We can wrestle with and narrow our focus, understand just why we sense God calling and then boldly (or cautiously) take that first step.

I’m walking the talk today by sharing a jump-out-of-bed and write-it-down idea (every have one of those?); I call it the 21 words community. For words running long is a preference, yet, there’s beauty in being brief. To choose the words that matter and speak to the heart.

Only 21 words.

I think you could too - inspire, encourage, or instruct with intentional simplicity. To take your message, make it brief. You’re welcome to come and share each Thursday, maybe we’ll see you over there?

Either way, may I leave you with 21 words for Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone? Because I think you just might be ready…

It’s time :: take the plunge.

God’s speaking, right? You’ve got ideas, plans.

Reject sideline living! Exercise FAITH. He’s got your back.

Filed Under: Community, Encouragement, Writing

Write It Girl : Come Join The Movement

March 12, 2012 By Denise Thompson Leave a Comment

Katie Orr and Stacey Thacker of Write, It Girl

Something happens when you hang out with like-minded women who love God and want to passionately use their gifts to shine for Him. Just ask Stacey Thacker and Katie Orr. Last October they went to The Relevant Blogging Conference (now Allume) together. They listened as other women poured out their hearts, attended writing sessions, and shared their own dreams over pizza. Katie and Stacey decided to believe what God was saying to them: You are a writer, girl. Write for Me.”

While flying home, somewhere between Harrisburg, PA and Orlando, FL a conversation in seat 21A&B turned into a dream and then into an idea. Do other girls feel the way we do? Are they hesitant to say, ‘I am a writer, too?’ What if we started a link up and gave them a place to make that declaration and just write. What if it looked a bit like this:

Whatever is on your heart, whatever is going on in your life. Write it, girl.

“I am a writer”; make that declaration. Regardless of your background, your gifts, your grammar. Write it, girl.

Write with confidence in your space; that little corner of the web He’s given you. Ask Him to give you a vision for what He wants with your words and write it, girl.

Come and share your words, bring it to this safe place where you can write what is on your heart, and encourage others in their writing, as well.

So last November they started Write It, Girl. Hundreds of women linked up and as a result found a community of women who desired to write and give their creative spaces to God for His glory. This month, they moved Write It, Girl to a blog of her own and launched the Spring Edition of the link up. Katie and Stacey are looking forward to gathering with old friends and new and sharing some surprises along the way. They would love for you to join them every Tuesday in March.

Filed Under: Community, Sisterhood, Special Features

Calling All The Cheerleaders

March 12, 2012 By Stacey Thacker 9 Comments

This one is for you.

The encourager.
The one others come to for advice.
The girl who writes emails and loves to love others.

I know you.
You have a big heart.
You live LYLAS.
And you mean it.

But where do you go when your heart is in need?
When you are weary?
Who cheers for the cheerleader anyway?

You know what I think? It is time to huddle up.

Do you remember the huddle before the big game? The coach would call us to come together, we’d lean in close to listen, and then he would say that really important thing to get our heads into the game.

Well THE COACH wants us to huddle up. And this is what He wants us to know sister:

I am FOR you. How can we lose?

I –You know the God of the Universe who hung the stars in place and yet sees you sitting all alone in your chair each morning begging for strength?

For – is His way of saying He is over you, more than you, standing in your corner but also beyond you. Pretty much, He is all over the place cheering you on.

All that HE is, HE is FOR you.

So all you amazing cheerleaders out there, huddle up. Put your hand in, look around the circle, and let your eyes fix on what the Coach speaking right to your heart:

“So what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose?
Romans 8:31 the Message

Ready. Set. Believe it.

Now – who do you need to go encourage today with this message?

Calling all the cheerleaders. It is time to huddle up. The COACH has something He wants to say! —> Click here to tweet

Filed Under: Community, Encouragement, Sisters In Christ

A season of hope

March 8, 2012 By Richella Parham 38 Comments

March is here, and with it the promise of spring. My heart swells as I see daffodils blooming. I think there’s something special about the way they push through the cold, brown ground and remind us that a new season of life is coming.

This time last year, my family and I were anticipating our third open-heart surgery. My 14-year-old son had heart surgery in April 2008. My husband had heart surgery in February 2009. Then in April 2011 my husband had a second open-heart surgery. We were such regulars at Duke Hospital that doctors, nurses, assistants, and cafeteria workers all recognized us. All that time spent at the hospital was exhausting, to say the least.

But I learned some things from those times of anxiety and worry, including this:

Hope is important.

Our hearts can withstand a lot of stress and anxiety if we have hope. Trials of all kinds can bend us without breaking us if we have something to which we can cling. If we know that our difficult circumstances will not last forever, we can make it.

And isn’t that what we have as Christians? We know, down in the very core of our hearts, that the troubles of our lives won’t last forever. To be honest, sometimes they feel as if they will last forever. Sometimes we’re too weary to stand, too discouraged to smile, too troubled even to pray. But deep in our souls, we know that Jesus has provided us with victory. Even when things are desperately hard, we have hope–and “hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5).

Perhaps you’re in a difficult season right now, just as I was at this time last year. May I encourage you by reminding you that there is hope? The winter may be long and harsh, but spring does come. Perhaps you’re so weary in spirit that you’re struggling to think of spring. Oh, sister, let us help you! Let us share your burden with you. Lean on us in your time of discouragement. If you can, share your concerns and prayer requests in the comments. We’ll take them to the Father. We’ll stand with you. For this is our prayer:

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

May hope bloom in your heart!

Filed Under: Community, Encouragement, Fear, Sisterhood

I Didn’t Want Community

February 25, 2012 By Jennifer Camp 36 Comments

I Didn't Want Community

Three a.m., black sky framed in white outside glass panes, and I’m rocking again. Ivory-pink softness pressed against my own, this baby boy, just five months ago inside my womb, feeds sleepily, eyes shut tight, fingers clenched fast. He is still such a part of me. All I thought I wanted. All I could possibly need. And as the cold wood floors creak against the rocker’s weight, my tired body pressing in, the quiet unsettles me. I have never felt more alone.

Books stack on the nursery side table, a mix of titles on women’s identity, parenting, and poems by Billy Collins. I devour words, starving for voices of authority, wisdom, lightships pointing me toward home. Sleep-starved but anxious to do this parenting thing well, I pour everything I am into caring for this beautiful boy. That’s what I saw my own mother do.

But I am lonely.

I have never felt more overwhelmed and exhausted and inadequate. There couldn’t possibly be another person up, alone, in the dark, rocking an infant, at three a.m., could there? Why do I feel like I am the only one awake on earth?

For the five years before we became parents, my husband was the voice in the wilderness — longing for community, excited to build connections and make friends. California natives, we had lived on the east coast for four years, for graduate school and career pursuits, just the two of us, married at 22 and 23. But from the beginning, I thought the friendship we shared together, in the intimacy of marriage, was all we could possibly need.

And I pushed back.

While I loved my job teaching English to teenagers (who lived to pour out their hearts and talk!), I felt terribly shy with adults. Insecure in social situations, unsure of how to entertain, and nervous about whether my conversation topics were interesting, I wanted to play it safe and not take risks in making friends. I tried to convince my husband that we didn’t need close friends; we were fine, just the two of us. Why complicate what we had?

And that wasn’t fair –- to him, or to me. That wasn’t all that God had planned.

For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them (Matthew 18:20).

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10).

Since becoming a mom ten years ago, I have experienced few things that have made me as desperate for support — craving companionship, encouragement, and truth. It took me becoming a mom to figure out I don’t have it all together — and that is perfectly, beautifully, okay.

But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

It is so easy to make myself believe I am alone. I can believe the lie that there is something wrong with me if I am less than perfectly independent, self-sufficient, stoic and immovable when situations feel over my head and life is hard. I can forget how the Father designed me for friendship, community, love.

I am not meant to live this life on my own.

What is your biggest fear around the topic of community? How can I pray for you and walk with you, here?