Everyone Has a Story

Last week I visited with a farm cat named Brindle. Okay, "visited" is a stretch. As a farm cat, she comes and goes as she pleases.

But I know she has a story...because everyone does. Even when we don't think we have one.

I know Brindle disappeared for a year, and only recently came back. I know she's had multiple litters of kittens, and two of her kids are still around. And I know she's a sweetheart, but she is bullied by the other farm cats.

I wanted to hear more, but Brindle wasn't sharing her story. At least, not in a way I could understand.

Maybe, she doesn't think her story is worth sharing. I can relate. Sometimes we think our stories aren't exciting enough to share.

Or we don't share because we don't want to relive certain parts of the story. That's okay. No one should be forced to share. But everyone should have the opportunity to release what they hold tightly inside, if they choose.

Because everyone has a story.

Our lives are made up of moments and seasons that contribute to who we are and who we become. [Tweet this]

Sharing our experiences with others helps to forge friendships, and it encourages them to share with us.

That means we need to be people who listen to others. Just listen. Not try to "fix it" or give counsel. Just listen with our full attention.

Jesus listened. He gave others His full attention. His story is the one we should want to hear the most.

And although He already knows everything about us, He wants us to share our stories with Him...because He wants to spend time with us.

And that's something we should want to share with others.

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Sharing His Beauty, Grace & Truth, #RaRaLinkup, Playdates with God, Give Me Grace, Testimony Tuesday, #TellHisStory, Thought Provoking Thursday, Everyday Jesus, Faith Filled Friday, Blessing Counters

Sometimes a Tree is More Than a Tree

We had a 20-foot pine tree cut down yesterday. It used to be beautiful. But last year it died, and every time I looked at it I saw a fire hazard—dry and brittle, next to a wood fence, leading straight to the house.

Until yesterday...when the lower branches were being cut off. It caught me by surprise and I almost cried.

In those moments I remembered its fullness and beauty.

I remembered my daughter as a young child running around it giggling with delight.

I remembered how it sparked in the sunlight after a heavy snow.

I remembered the needles sticky with sap and the pine cones that had to be picked up.

I remembered the night we saw bats flying around the very top branches...and got a little freaked out.

And I remembered our cat, who has been gone for a few years now. She loved that tree. If she could sneak out the back door, that's where she would go—deep under the tree where we couldn't reach her.

And when we finally got her back in the house, she would get sick—every. single. time.

Good memories...and some not so good, but all pieces that make up life.

Isn't that the way it is with everything? The good, the bad, and the unexciting moments that make up every day. Moments we don't think much about until they're gone.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NLT

One day passes so another can begin. But the memories...they become a part of us.

And sometimes those simple moments last a lifetime.

In Christ,

Laura  

Linking up with Grace & Truth, Playdates with God, #RaRaLinkup, #TellHisStory, Give Me Grace, Testimony Tuesday, #SmallWonder, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday

Meet Me

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community with Kate Motaung this weekend…5 minutes, no rewriting, and a one word prompt…

Meet

Meet Me in the morning when you awake, before your feet even touch the floor.

Meet Me throughout the day in your thoughts, conversations, decisions, and actions.

Meet Me in the evening as you begin to wind down.

Come to Me—and I will Meet you right where you are. Always.

Love, God

In Christ,

Laura 

Linking up with Five Minute Friday, The Weekend Brew, Sunday Stillness

A Way Out of Temptation

I've always had a like - dislike relationship with social media. I've never loved it, but I don't really hate it anymore.

It’s been a blessing in many ways, but the best part—and I only know this because of the occasional e-mail I receive telling me—is that God uses what He leads me to write to touch others. And that makes being in this online world so much richer.

Any form of social media, however, can be addicting. And then it can become destructive.

Too often I've found myself losing chunks of time scrolling through feeds aimlessly. Or feeling like I have to keep up with what someone else is doing...only to then feel inadequate and insecure.

It's a temptation that sneaks up and attacks, and we're vulnerable to it because we think we have it under control.

But God gives us a way out.

When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10:13b NLT

The question is, are we going to take that way out?

Are we going to avoid the temptation by accepting God's help?

To continue reading, please join me over at LifeNotes...

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: Stock photo: Vineyard Gate (Waterfords)

Linking up with The Weekend Brew, Sharing His Beauty, #RaRaLinkup, Testimony Tuesday, Playdates with God, #TellHisStory, Everyday Jesus, Thought Provoking Thursday, Blessing Counters, Faith Filled Friday, Grace & Truth