Archives for December 2013

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” We loved you so much that we were delighted not only to share with you the gospel of God, but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 2:8

Words Paul wrote to his beloved church in Thessalonica.  

Have you ever been in ministry?

While it might seem glamourous to be in the spotlight or given a special task, but for most of us in ministry it’s an uncertain, prayerful, insecure, and ultimately obedient….ummmm, yes? 

From my own experience, I can attest it wasn’t anything I sought out, ever wanted or saw myself doing. I was not prepared for this, raised for this, or born with an outgoing personality for this. Not only that, I struggle with “people pleasing”. For those of you in ministry, nod your head if you agree that ministry is not the place for a person who struggles with “people pleasing”. Are you with me? 

Nevertheless, when we work for the Lord, whether it is big or small in our eyes, we are saying…

Yes, I will love and rave about you, Lord. 

Yes, I will imitate you.

Yes, I will share your word. 

Yes, I will serve you.

Yes, I will love others.

But there is more. So much more….and if we don’t allow the “more”, we are missing the big picture of what God wants us to do. 

Paul says with all sincereity that he loved his church so much that he shared his life with them. 

John 3:16 says:

” For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” 

God loved us so much….he shared his life and ultimately gave his life for us. 

I don’t know about you, but this brings me to tears. 

It also brings me to my knees convicting me that I have been in the position of “self-closure” in order to protect myself from getting hurt. 

I’ll do all of these things Lord, but share my life with others? Really? What if they misunderstand me? Talk about me? Become competitive? Judge? Realize I’m not that awesome? Leave me?What if….what if….what if. 

I’m fairly certain that many people in ministry or even just in general have a difficult time with sharing their lives with others because of the fears that come along with it. It would be very easy to fall into the trap of placing an invisible glass curtain (or in this case, screen)  separating the servant from those being served.  I’m here- you’re there. This is good. I love you, you love me…wave hi!!!

It just doesn’t work that way. 

When we love, we need to love hard, be on the front lines, and leave the “what if thinking” behind us. We need to be “all about it”. 

Going into the new year, I challenge you Ladies to do this….share your lives with others as an act of obedience to God.  Paul loved the Thessalonians without question. In the position he was in, he could have been so easily rejected and forgotten. Not only that, God knew the final outcome when He came here in the flesh- He didn’t have to “what if”, yet He did it anyways knowing ….fully knowing. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts…..

Much love to you, Janelle 

While I was having my “quiet time” the other day, I read something that stood out to me… Something that I thought would really resonate with anyone reading right now. It was about what to do when we have a friend in need. 

I’ve been a friend to those in need. I’ve also been a friend in need. 

The thing is, sometimes friends really don’t know what to do or what say when their friend is hurting…even if they are close. Perhaps they want to do something, they just don’t know what. Often times, they ignore the situation because they don’t want their friend to feel ashamed. That awkwardness (and sometimes even the solitude) becomes an additional layer anguish in a hurting person’s life. Not only is the trial hard- the ripple effect can be even harder on the one who is suffering. 

Have you been there? 

Maybe you’ve gone through a divorce, suffered a death, battled a serious illness, lost a job, or are coping with depression. 

And if you have been there, you know what I’m talking about.

You may be on the opposite side- you are a friend of someone who is suffering and  are overwhelmed with empathy for that person. But again….you don’t want to overstep your boundaries. Well….this is just the thing for you to read. 

Here we go…

A Friend in Need

Friendship gives license to show up at the door of need without asking, “When would you like me to come? ” or “What would you like me to do?” Nor does friendship call out, “Just let me know if you need anything.”

Practiced friendship whispers, “I’ll be there” and promptly steps through the door with sensitivity, respect and understanding. 

But what about honoring the right to invite? Those who wait for parchment invitations wait long, for need rarely throws a party-rarely even has a voice. 

Yet need has its own needs. It needs protection from strangers tromping in with work boots and good intentions. And it needs relief from acquaintences wearing spiked heels of advice and pat answers. 

Need waits with longing for the familiar entrance of dear ones who pad barefoot through the soul on ordinary days. “

~ Susan L Lenzkes 

So there you have it, Girls….friendship isn’t polite, it’s real.

There is a huge need out there for friends….I’m talkin, friends. Go be one!