intimacy Archives - Jacque Watkins

To Risk is to Be Brave

May 3, 2013 by Jacque 12 Comments

To risk is to be brave. Because there is no bravery without risk.

I recently completed the Strengthsfinder assessment for the second time. It was for a leadership class I’m in, and to my amazement my results were almost exactly the same as four years ago.

I’m a communicator and a relator, someone who likes harmony, who individualizes her interactions with others, and loves to achieve with lots of responsibility and dependability thrown in for good measure.

Basically, I live for relationships. Nothing feeds me more than to connect and relate with others. But never in a superficial way.

I want to connect deeply. To see, and be seen. To know, and be known.

No matter who I’m with or what setting I’m in, this pursuit of relationship is my main goal. And that’s why I think relationships are so risky for me, because most of the time, I care too much. I can read into things. I can over analyze what is said. And I can beat myself up for saying or doing or being the wrong way.

I’ve found the degree to which I care, is usually the degree to which a beautiful relationship emerges, one that’s open and honest, real and satisfying. But I’ve also discovered, the degree to which I care, is also the degree to which pain pierces my heart when rejection comes.

To be brave is to risk.

To risk having and holding something of beauty,

Or to risk a hurting heart, one wounded by the sting of rejection.

Pursuing relationship is always a risk. One only for the brave.

And I imagine some might say, is it worth the risk? Is the beauty worth the risk of the pain?

And I say yes. Yes. YES.

Without risk, without the bravery of transparency and vulnerability, one thing is sure: there will never be beauty and there also will be no pain, because there will be no relationship at all.

To risk is to be brave. There is no bravery without risk. And there is no courage in the absence of fear.

I’ve done my fair share of risking in relationships, and I’ve had my fair share of the sting of rejection.

That time I asked her to be my blogging mentor and she said no.

That time I sent that email in that I-don’t-know-what-got-a-hold-of-me-moment, telling her how I’d love to be considered to write.

That time I went to that dinner party, not knowing one other person there. How I stood around all awkward, trying to interact but sticking out as the biggest loner there.

Rejection is bound to happen. Pain is an inevitable part of life.

But I’d rather be brave, take the risk, and put myself out there.

I’d rather be scared and push past my fear with courage and bravery, and pursue connection anyway.

Because it’s only with a brave risk, that the beauty of relationship will be realized.

And I don’t know about you, but that beauty is what I want.

When have you taken a risk and pursued a relationship?

How brave did you feel in that moment?

I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 20 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:

Brave…

Filed Under: Authenticity, Character, Community, Faith, Five Minute Friday, Friendship, Marriage, Relationships Tagged With: friendship, intimacy, realness

When You Doubt God is Here {Letters from God}

April 12, 2013 by Jacque 26 Comments

I am here. And I see.

I see the discouragement that seeps in through the cracks of your doubt. The times you question whether you’re able to be used by Me at all.

I see how your tired head bends in the dark and longs for more hours in each day. How you stay up in the wee hours, calming your heart with the music I’ve inspired him to play, and tapping out one letter after another to tell of my love for the broken.

I know the desperation that lingers in your not-enough hours, and I hear the cry of your heart as you ask me for wisdom beyond your own self.

You’re yearnings are close and they echo in my presence. I hear every whisper, every thought, and every cry. You are not alone.

I am here. And I see.

I see the motive of your heart. How you long to comfort the broken and see Me redeem it all in time. I see your desire, your dream for them to come, to read your words and talk with you there, in that online space you designed for my glory.

And I send them…

The ones who need to hear my love through your words.

The ones whose hearts are ready to be found by My mercy and transformed by My grace.

I am here. And I see.

I see the way your heart is prone to feel so small … the way you fall for comparison over and over again … wishing you belonged, were included, were wanted just as you are.

Don’t you know I’ve chosen you?

Don’t you realize you have been called by Me?

Before the beginning of time, I knew every choice you would make, every decision you would come to, and my Sovereignty has ordained it all. There is nothing that is a surprise to me. Before you were conceived I knew, and my plan is unfolding through your life even now, just as I determined it to be.

Rest in the work I am doing in you.

Be patient in the revealing of it all.

Be faithful in the small ways, in each minute I give.

Because all things are gifts from My heart to yours.

You are mine.

I am speaking to you and you are hearing me … as you read the love letter I left for you, as you meditate and hide my words in your heart each and every day. I am speaking to you in the world around you and through those who are also faithful to me.

I see how you wonder if it’s me and it is.

I am here. And I see.

And the love I have for you surpasses your understanding, is beyond anything you can imagine, and is a gift you can never ever lose.

You are mine.

You are loved.

And I. am. here.

How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! 

How vast is the sum of them!

If I would count them, they are more than the sand. 

I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalm 139:17-18 (ESV)

What is your biggest challenge in knowing God sees?

In what circumstance have you felt God most near?

I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 20 minutes flat ~~with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing~~, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:

Here…

**Photo Credit: Khanh Hmoong, Flickr Creative Commons

Filed Under: Community, Devotional, Faith, Five Minute Friday, God's Love, God's Mercy & Grace, God's Promises, God's Sovereignty, Relationships Tagged With: hope, intimacy, love, Psalms

How to Be Still and Trust, Even In the Pain

September 10, 2012 by Jacque 8 Comments

He is still and he trusts me and looks up at me like I’m the love of his life. And how can I resist that smile? With those steel-blue eyes and small gap between his teeth. And I’ve been falling for him since my eyes first met him that January morning over six full years ago.

He’s calm and sweet and full of passion—an artistic-instead-of-athletic type guy and he hugs me and says he’s never getting married. With excitement I hug him even tighter and whisper how I love him the most of all, with my lips close in and almost touching his ear. And I’m smitten and swell with living in the now of this moment.

And isn’t God smitten with me in the now of the moment and every moment?

And doesn’t He swell with a love for me that never ends?

He walks in the oral surgeon’s office with a bold determination. The frenulum has to be released so the front two teeth can grow in close, without a permanent gap.

And it’s going to hurt.

He knows.

But it’s best, because there’s a bigger purpose for it all.

And could it be that sometimes pain really is the only way through to what’s best for us?

Pain. Of all things?

Hurting and anguishing and struggling through?

We sit together and wait. And we wait some more.

And sometimes we don’t know the pain is coming … but sometimes we do. And isn’t it such a challenge when we do?

But isn’t He with us even as we wait … with us while we wait for Him to lead us right straight through?

He watches tv and I can tell there’s no anxiety anywhere to be found. He trusts me. He remembers my explanation of what’s going to happen. He follows my directions because he’s convinced I know best. And we gaze at one another and just stare with that I’m-in-love-with-you look and we don’t need any words at all.

And sometimes isn’t trust best displayed by being still … being still and knowing He is God?

Remembering His promises. Gazing with eyes fixed on Him, focused and ready to follow?

He stands with confidence as they take the x-rays and chats with the nurse while we wait for the surgeon. Because he’s captivating like that—a natural charmer, sure to win the heart of any sweet girl when he’s grown. And I’m the first … the first heart he’s won, and the moments of his gaze engulf me with emotions only a mama can know.

And isn’t it true how God has a depth of love for me that only He knows?

An unfathomable love that compelled Him to create me in His image and send His son to bridge the gap between us?

A captivating love that engulfs me, and encircles me, and never ever ends?

I wait as the procedure is done, and it’s not too long before they call me back. His gauze-filled mouth smiles when I enter. And the nurse brags how he’s the best patient they’ve ever had, making his eyes glimmer even more.

We wheel out to the car. And he asks what will happen next, and what the medicine is for.

And as I explain each thing, we slowly drive away, him nodding in understanding and willing compliance all the way home. Still and trusting. Unsure of what’s ahead, but completely sure of who’s driving him home.

May I be still too, and trust where He takes me.

Trust that even pain may be the best thing for my good,

And may I remember and know how He’s the one driving me all the way home.

What is your biggest challenge in trusting God?

What painful experience have you had that makes it harder to be still and trust Him?

Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1606-1620} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with September’s printable.

#1606 Deep & significant talks with a growing-almost-adult son

#1607 The beginning of another chronological trip in the Word

#1608 A gift given with a God-prepared heart who received it…only He could have orchestrated that!

#1609 6-month dental check-ups completed for us all

#1610 The beginning of a new co-op year

#1611 A run with a friend

#1612 Ice cold water at the end of the 10th mile

#1613 Air conditioning

#1614 Kids cleaning the kitchen on their own

#1615 Date night with food, laughter, and reconnection

#1616 Soft sheets and comfy pajamas and fans at night

#1617 She Speaks CD’s full of wisdom

#1618 Summer lightening and thunder

#1619 Dinner made for me and brought to me

#1620 This love affair I have with Him that never ends

*Linking with Playdates and The Better Mom

Filed Under: Faith, Gratitude, Inspirational, Intimacy with God, Motherhood, One Thousand Gifts Tagged With: intimacy, love, motherhood, One Thousand Gifts, pain

For When You Wonder Why You Long To Connect

August 10, 2012 by Jacque 8 Comments

To connect is food for the soul.

And I watch it happen before my eyes … this feeding of a soul.

A father and daughter right before me. And what I see is undeniable.

How she looks at him. And how he looks at her.

How she holds her arms up. And how his strong arms lift her, and encircle her right around.

I watch them walk. And I see him lean forward and kiss her head with tenderness.

Her hair waves in the wind and she brushes it away. And then she pulls his chin and points for him to see. And he stops. And looks. And they just know. No words between them. Nothing audible to be heard. Just a connection that transcends the need to speak.

She flings her arms around his neck and holds on tight. And resting her chin on his shoulder, she peers from behind his protection. And she is still. Because she knows she is valued, and she is loved.

And isn’t that what we all really want … to connect?

To be valued and loved and deeply known.

To know there’s someone who’ll see us when we hold our arms up.

Who’ll pick us up and carry us when we’re desperate for reassurance and protection.

Someone who sees the needs of our heart.

And who stops, and looks, with full attention, as we point toward our hopes and dreams.

Don’t we all want to rest our heads, and hold on tight, and know the comfort of a protective embrace?

To connect without the need for words?

To be still in strong arms?

To know and be known?

From His Father’s heart, He has created us for this … to connect … to feed our souls, and to really live.

Psalm 109:9 (ESV)

For he satisfies the longing soul,

and the hungry soul he fills with good things.

Do you long to connect?

How has your soul been fed lately?

I’m joining Lisa-Jo, over at her site today, to take five minutes and just write without worrying if it’s just right or not. The challenge is to write for 5 minutes flat with no editing, tweaking or self critiquing, with the prompt she gives. And today, her prompt:

Connect…

*Linking with Pieces of Amy

Filed Under: Family, Five Minute Friday, Inspirational, Intimacy with God Tagged With: connection, intimacy, longing, love, realness

5 Tips to Connecting in Your Marriage {Because Maintenance is More Affordable Than Neglect}

July 8, 2012 by Jacque 11 Comments

There is often a high price to be paid for neglect.

My husband and I are terrible at car maintenance. We find it annoying and irritating to be bothered by such trivialities. And the fact that we’re both this way is a big problem.

Several years ago we noticed a vibration with a squealing noise every time we stopped at a stop sign. We were aware that our brakes needed routine maintenance, but kept putting it off.

We were either too busy or not sure where to take the car, so we did nothing.

Weeks went by, and finally the squealing noise got so loud that it was actually embarrassing to stop at a stop light. I mean the sound was LOUD! And so we finally took it in.

And what did we discover?

Well, apparently people change their brake pads every 25,000 miles for about $100. (Novel idea!) But because we failed to do that, we had to have an entire brake job done, which ended up costing $750.

Our neglect had cost us. Big time.

And the same can happen in our marriages. Unless we invest in day-to-day maintenance and tune-ups along the way, deterioration will automatically happen due to the neglect.

And the effort of maintenance isn’t easy. We’re busy. We’re tired. We’re emotionally spent.

But I can tell you from experience this WILL happen. Because it happened to me.

In my first marriage, I figured I’d be married forever, and would have lots of time to work out our differences. I knew everything wasn’t perfect, but I wasn’t convinced it required a lot of work to remedy. So I did nothing. And after 7 years I was divorced.

And now, while my husband and I may not be passionate about car maintenance, we are passionate about our marriage–about protecting our connection and growing it.

We work hard to settle even the littlest differences right away.

We are mindful to be loving and respecting of one another and communicate about it if we’re not.

We purposefully schedule recreational activities together and find intellectual topics to discuss.

We parent as a unified front and try to talk privately when we disagree.

And we never miss date night! It is the most important part of our week.

No matter what happens during the course of our week, I know when Friday comes, we drop everything and spend time together … eating and talking and walking … just the two of us, catching up as friends. We make an effort to purposefully connect and it is not always easy.

But the maintenance is so less costly than the price demanded by neglect. Because when it comes to my marriage, it’s not a price I’m willing to pay again.

Won’t you take time today to find just one way to connect in your marriage?

Just one little way?

1. Go out on a date at least twice a month. For childcare use grandparents, barter with a friend, or trade babysitting with another couple.

2. Stay in for date night after the kids go to bed. Turn off the tv and put away the phones. Cook together, play a game, or sit out on the deck and talk.

3. If you’re in a fight, decide to fight naked. Seriously, this works. (Thank you Susan!) And if you can’t do that, then fight while touching. Trust me, it’s hard, but it works too.

4. Take a bath or shower together once a month. Lock the door and take your time. You’ll have one another’s undivided attention.

5. Spend 10 minutes of uninterrupted time just talking when you get home from work. Set the timer and teach the kids this is “mommy & daddy” time and they’re not allowed to interrupt. There’s no greater gift you can give your kids than a strong and healthy marriage they can see.

What is your favorite tip for connecting with your spouse?

Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1531-1545} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with July’s printable.

#1531 Drives to work with no traffic

#1532 4th of July babies … LOTS of babies born that day … an EXPLOSION of babies!

#1533 Facebook She Speaks interactions

#1534 My 1st blogging birthday

#1535 Emails and comments from my online friends

#1536 Running 16 miles total this week…whew!

#1537 Hot showers and comfy pajamas

#1538 Shopping with my mom

#1539 Picmonkey. Seriously. Picmonkey People!

#1540 Budgeting with my husband

#1541 Pool memories

#1542 Summer movies with the kids

#1543 More time in Matthew 5

#1544 Podcasts blowing my mind

#1545 Grace and mercy for my daily failures

*Linking with The Better Mom, Playdates, Thought Provoking Thursday, Imparting Grace

Filed Under: Marriage Tagged With: connection, intimacy

For When You Want to Know How to Really Teach :: Sermon On the Mount {Week 1}

April 9, 2012 by Jacque 25 Comments

Our school year is winding down and I can’t tell you how much I’ve learned about myself and my kids, by being their teacher! And while I’m not a teacher by trade, as a nurse I do a lot of patient education and am very used to helping others learn.

Teaching my own children has been so very satisfying, and I count it a privilege to be present with them as they learn. I watch their faces light up when they succeed, and I’m also with them as they fail. And oh how important it is to learn to fail well, with grace, and together we are learning everyday.

And among the things I’m learning as my kids’ teacher, is how important it is to teach in the context of relationship—for them to know that the foundation of our relationship is strong enough to weather correction and instruction, because they’re convinced I care.

I’m realizing they learn best when they are reassured and have confidence in our relationship–when I hug them like crazy and annoy them with kisses … after all, what teacher does that? I’m also learning to get down at eye level with them, and teach with lots of praise and encouragement.

And we have all benefitted from the intentionality.

And this week, as I memorized the first two verses of Matthew 5, I was struck by the intentionality of Jesus.

Matthew 5:1-2 (ESV)

Seeing the crowds, He went up on the mountain, and when He sat down, His disciples came to Him. And He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

He built purposeful relationships with his disciples, and had a great desire to teach them. And yet He knew, if His disciples’ hearts were going to be receptive to His teaching, He had to retreat with them–focus on teaching them with intention.

So when He saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain. His disciples noticed, and they followed Him– eager to be near Him and learn from Him.

And what really got me was the fact that Jesus sat down. He didn’t stand and talk down to them. He didn’t pace or lecture them. He directed His gaze at them–getting eye to eye with them. And that’s when He began to teach.

His body language and posture relayed to themHis humility, and the intimate way He cared.

And I’m moved by His approach.

How many times do I open my mouth to share, and not consider the other person?

How many times do I want to impart my ”profound” knowledge to someone because I can … because way deep down, I think I’m so amazing?

And while I’m doing many things right, there are so many ways for me to improve. I’m guilty of talking down to my kids, and just plain talking too much to others. Forgetting to invest, consumed with self, and forgetting that the quality of the relationship supports their level of receptivity to me.

I need to remember that to really teach, it is my humble care that allows them to even hear me at all.

Who knew, two seemingly insignificant and introductory verses could bring such conviction and direction?

So whether I’m teaching my kids, or someone else, may I follow the example of Jesus.

May I be intentional.

May I work on building relationship.

May I have humility, and kill the pride that rages in me.

And when that time is right, may I teach face to face–eye to eye, always careful to consider their needs instead of my own, and relay how much I care.

How has your learning been enhanced when someone really cares?

What is your biggest obstacle in really teaching or sharing with others?

This week on to Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV)…

{WEEK 2}

Matthew 5:3-5 (ESV)

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

b a t p i s f t i t k o h b a t w m f t s b c b a t m f t s i t e

It’s never too late to join in … join together in memorizing the mount.

You can’t fail, if you don’t quit, and it would be such an honor to memorize with you!

Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1356-1370} with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012…with April’s printable.

#1356 My mother-in-law and her stellar teaching help

#1357 Busy work days, that just fly right by

#1358 Co-op field trip, Orange County Heritage Museum

#1359 Loving parents visiting our home

#1360 My dad buying donuts, and Starbucks, and breakfast treats

#1361 Dinner date out with my parents, my son, and his friend

#1362 White easter dresses with flowers and lace

#1363 Cool evening walks in the open streets

#1364 More Easter clothes found, and the gift that allowed us to buy them

#1365 More foxgloves and sweet alyssum, lobelia, and vines

#1366 A pool finally plastered, and the kind men who put it on

#1367 A new group to join, cheering each other on so we’re not alone

#1368 Plane tickets bought to Allume and She Speaks…is it July or October yet???

#1369 A late night Twitter message from a friend, cheering me on as we Mount the Sermon on the Mount together

#1370 My sweet Savior’s sacrifice for me … His pain, and then His conquering! Wow, I am just thankful beyond any words at all…

Filed Under: Bible Memorization, Discipleship, Faith, Gratitude, Homeschooling, Inspirational, Leadership, Motherhood, One Thousand Gifts, Sermon on the Mount Tagged With: bible, connection, growth, humility, intimacy, love, Matthew, motherhood

The Deep Roots of Friendship

February 23, 2012 by Jacque 2 Comments

We all need a friend. Someone who gets us, who is there for us, and who loves us no matter what. And those kind of friends are rare. I’ve had some difficult seasons in my life and endured them with few friends, and through those experiences I’ve learned to appreciate the qualities that help cultivate meaningful friendships. Today at Sisters in Bloom, I’m writing about the deep roots of friendship.

The Deep Roots of Friendship

I know what it feels like to be alone—to have lost my relationships. I know the desperation that comes when life lacks connection and loneliness smothers your soul.

Years ago I was a pastor’s wife, and I had more friends than I had time for. Offers for free babysitting, lunch dates, coffee-night chats, and couples’ get-togethers were common, and I felt wanted and valued by a group of people I called friends.

And then came my crisis–separation and divorce. And I soon discovered that not all relationships have the kind of stabilizing roots to weather such change … and there was so much change. I was no longer a pastor’s wife. I no longer lived in a cute little house with yellow siding on that tree-lined-cul-de-sac street. And I no longer seemed to “have it all together”.

To finish reading click here…

Photo Credit: nathamanath, Flickr Creative Commons

Filed Under: Community, Friendship, Guest Posts, Inspirational, Sisters in Bloom Tagged With: connection, friend, friendship, intimacy, love, realness

Delighted by the Time Together

February 17, 2012 by Jacque 14 Comments

Delight.

What is it that brings me delight?

Of course our marriage we’ve worked so very hard on—one we’ve built with intention and no secrets

My children and the joy they bring—even mixed with the hard work, they are a source of great pleasure to me

But what brings me the most delight these days—the thing that gives me the greatest amount of pleasure, what I look forward to each and every day …

Without a doubt it’s my time with God. The time I pause and still myself to read His words, to soak in His precepts, to grasp His great love for me, to journal about what I’ve read, and to write out my prayer. To write down what I long for, to tell Him what I’m struggling with, to share my dreams and hopes, and just transparently bare my heart to the One who created me.

And just two years ago I could not have said this and meant it. If I would have said it then I would have been over-spiritualizing and exaggerating. That’s because for 34 of my 36 years as a Christian I didn’t do this daily. I didn’t even do this monthly.

And I’m so sad at the time I wasted–sad for the lack of growth and insight and maturity I missed. All because I considered it an obligation, a task, a duty–something I was just supposed to do, that I rarely did, and then always felt guilty about.

But all that’s changed. Today is day #579 with God. We meet every day. And many days I come with many cares, but He delights me every time. And with every meeting, I am changed.

Psalms 94:19

When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations delight my soul.

I long for it to be the same for you, my friend.

What has been your biggest struggle spending time with God?

How can I pray for you?

Some resources to help…

A Daily Reading Schedule: A Psalm & Proverb each day for three months, then through the Old Testament once in one year and the New Testament twice in one year

SOAP Journaling Plan: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

SOAP Journaling Page: A printable journal page

Accountability Groups: which helped make such a difference for me!

~Good Morning Girls

~Hello Mornings Challenge

My favorite study Bibles:

My favorite chronological Bible:

Delight…

Filed Under: Bible Reading, Five Minute Friday, Gratitude, Inspirational Tagged With: bible, growth, intimacy, Psalms

Trusting is a Risk {But the Sky is the Limit}

February 10, 2012 by Jacque 8 Comments

We hold hands and the sky is the limit for us. And I say that because I know. I know what it’s like to choose to lose trust. I know how high the stakes are when trust is shattered. And way back at the beginning we decided there would be no secrets. No holding back. Nothing left unsaid. Nothing that wasn’t shared … because we both knew the consequence of withholding–withholding information and details, and ultimately your heart.

Trust is the foundation of any relationship. It is the bedrock providing the stability and framework that allows it to stand. Yet to trust requires you to be confident and believe in the goodness of another. And it requires allowing your heart to be vulnerable. And that means having to take the chance that you may get hurt.

And that’s where trust becomes a decision, the decision of every relationship.

Will I trust?

Will I risk?

And of course we have to be safe in that choice. We evaluate the probabilities and examine the risk and we decide. But one thing is sure, without trust, a relationship will crumble. It will not grow or be sustained for long.

And not only is this true with human relationships it’s true about God too.

Do you trust Him?

Can you examine the evidence available and determine the risk?

Are you willing to expose your heart to His great love and trust in what it is He gives?

Because all things are from Him and through Him and to Him … and He has an amazing plan for you. I know. Because that’s what He’s done for me. When I was not trustworthy, He rescued me. He turned it all around. And I know He can do it for you too. Because when you trust Him, and hold His hand, the sky’s the limit for you too.

Psalm 37: 3-7a (NASB)

Trust in the LORD and do good;
Dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD;
And He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him, and He will do it.
He will bring forth your righteousness as the light
And your judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him…

Praying you choose to dwell and delight. That you would commit and rest, and that you would choose to trust Him with your heart. The sky will be the limit!

What is your biggest struggle in trusting others?

What is your biggest challenge in trusting God?

Trust…

Filed Under: Faith, Family, Five Minute Friday, Inspirational, Marriage Tagged With: connection, friendship, intimacy, love, Psalms, realness

May You Never Journey Alone {A Christmas Wish for You…}

December 19, 2011 by Jacque 14 Comments

It’s almost Christmas, and today I’m remembering back to June of 2010, when I began a journey … An experience that led me to read my Bible, memorize scripture, and pray every single day. It is something I knew I should have been doing the past 25 years of my Christian life, but for reasons no more than pure laziness and lack of discipline, I had never lived a life that was intentional in this area. And to be honest, I had no idea what I had been missing.

Oh I knew I should read my Bible every day. And I attended and served at church for many years. I knew my Bible enough to “get by” and I was loving and kind to others. But I had never been diligent or purposeful to spend time with God every single day, and I had never read my Bible all the way through … ever.

And now it has been over a year and a half of a different way of living. And I am changed. In June I finished reading my Bible straight through in one year, and in October, I finished reading it through a second time in just 90 days. And God’s Word is powerful and reading it has changed me. And my times with God, each and every day, are no longer an obligation, but an infusion of joy, which has become my strength.

No longer do I walk by my Bible and feel guilty for not having picked it up.

No longer do I delay saying a prayer, knowing that I haven’t really communicated with God in a while.

No longer am I hesitant to come to Him because of the distance I feel between us.

No longer do I wonder what God’s will is for me or what it is He would want me to do.

How powerless I lived for so long, refusing to make time with Him a priority. How little I really understood, of His GREAT love for me. And how would I have really known, other than taking the time to pause, read His words, and cultivate a relationship between us? I’m saddened by the years I wasted, and so thankful He had been faithfully and patiently waiting for me the whole entire time.

So what made the difference? Why was I able to become purposeful and intentional in this area of my life?

For me, it was accountability in the context of community that made all the difference … it was me, no longer being alone. And how blessed I am now, to belong to a group of like-minded sisters, who also choose to spend time reading God’s Word and communing with Him, every single day.

And just two weeks ago, I spent an afternoon enjoying tea and delicious food with almost all of them. (We missed you Jen and Joy!!) We talked and laughed, and ate and relaxed. And these women mean so much to me, because each one has been part of this journey that has changed me. They have inspired and supported me in days where I was tempted to skip my time with Him. And just knowing that someone was looking for my email, cheering me on, encouraging me in my journey, and praying for me … this is what I had been needing and longing for. THIS is what has made the difference. And WOW, I am so thankful!

And what a wonderful time we had that day!

And my Christmas wish for you, is that you too, would find this kind of community and support. Perhaps like me, it is exactly what your heart has been needing and longing for!

So I want to share with you two communities that can help you create and maintain a sense of friendship and accountability, in the context of a supportive community.

The first one is called Hello Mornings, organized by Kat over at Inspired to Action. These are accountability groups through the avenue of social media, usually Facebook or twitter. She is currently having sign-ups for their next session, which begins January 16th, and you can register here, and they can help you find or organize a group.

The second is called Good Morning Girls, organized by Courtney and Angela, and these groups also communicate through social media or email. This was my third session participating in a Good Morning Girls email group, and I have loved being a part of what they are doing. They are currently having sign-ups for their next session which begins January 15th, and they will be providing a schedule to go through the book of Ephesians during this three-month session. You can read more information about joining a group or creating your own group here.

And so … an ENORMOUS thank you, and a big I LOVE YOU, to my sweet good morning girls for all you have brought to my life each day! I am so very thankful for each one of you, and can’t wait to begin again on January 15th.

And dear friends, this Christmas season, if it is the desire of your heart, may you find strength and support amidst a sweet community of accountability, wherever that may be–a community where you don’t have to be all alone! This, simply this, is my Christmas wish and prayer for you!

Merry Christmas!!

What helps you stay accountable to spend time with God every day?

Who or what are you thankful for today?

Continuing in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1133-1148}with Ann and this community…

#1133 Several days off to be at home

#1134 Christmas vacation from school

#1135   More Truth in Tinsel art fun every day

#1136 Cuddling her little feverish body to mine

#1137  A long visit this week from my sweet parents

#1138 The chance to sing again…oh how I’ve missed that

#1139  Fellowship and friendship with my Good Morning Girls

#1140 The children’s co-op Christmas performance tonight

#1141  The beautiful redemptive message by Sy Rogers

#1142 Christmas shopping alone with my husband

#1143 A quiet dinner alone, just us

#1144 Christmas surprises coming…

#1145 Soft clean sheets and cozy blankets

#1146 Squinting at Christmas lights

#1147 Listening to my sleeping children breathe

#1148 His mercy and grace that never, ever, ever end…