Just call me Mrs.Turtle. I tend to go into my shell when stressed. Other times busyness claims my focus and I forget about others. Anybody else? Without realizing it, I disconnect from people, stop reaching out, and can vanish into my little bubble of me and my family. But in doing so, I don’t receive tangible loving encouragement from others and I don’t have opportunity to give that love away either. So what do we do? How do we consciously move from solo living to solidarity in Rona times?
I asked God that very question. Lord how can I do better and serve my people well right now? And the easiest plan came to mind.
I need to CHALLENGE myself and others to simply check in.
So let me ask you, dear reader, how are you? What are you worried about? How have you been dealing with this stressful season? Are you totally turtle-tucked in? Or do you feel like people have been checking in on you?
I have up and down days. Anxiety on Monday, peace on Tuesday, who knows on Wednesday. Depends on what’s going on and how well I’m trusting Jesus with it all. Have I read my Bible that day, have I prayed, have I talked to someone who cares, have I exercised, did I eat well? It all plays a part in my emotional well-being.
I wonder who in your life, your community, needs YOU to reach out of your bubble and check in on THEM?
As I read through the book of Job recently I noticed how alone he was in his suffering and how dark that hole became. Literally to the point of wishing the day he was born would be stricken from the calendar.
Let’s not let our friends get to that point of isolation. Let’s push in with a text, a message, a hug, a dropped off coffee. Loving others doesn’t have to look extravagant, but it does require intentional thought on others instead of self.
Loving others doesn’t have to look extravagant, but it does require intentional thought on others instead of self.
I’m guilty of thinking waaaaaaaaay to much of myself lately. So I would like to propose a challenge for anyone who wants to make a little splash of love next week.
Each day we’ll check in on one person we know. Might be a long lost friend. Might be someone we know suffers from depression/anxiety. Might be a neighbor. I promise you’ll end up feeling better as a result and your heart will grow as your bubble opens up.
*I’ll give IDEAS AND ACCOUNTABILITY Monday through Friday July 6-10.
*SCRIPTURE and DEVOTIONALS to encourage you on your adventure of reconnecting and renewing relationships.
*And PRAYER prompts for your week.
But ultimately this is between you and Jesus. Whoever He puts on your mind is your mission. Together we can be the instruments of love to a lonely and isolated world. AND we’ll also invite others into our bubbles to combat our own loneliness and isolation! It’s a win-win!
Sound good?
If you haven’t yet, follow my facebook OR instagram @glorybeblog for instructions for next week. Excited to see how this challenge moves God’s people to intentionally connect and strengthen each other!
💗Andrea
Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She’s a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. She believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers.
Grow in faith with Andrea’s video Devotionals on Our Daily Bread! And more with WhollyLoved Ministries on YouVersion Bible App and Crosswalk.
Andrea Chatelain 