I’m so happy to be back and SO HAPPY that you’re here!! I’ve taken a Christmas break to do just what I wrote about in today’s Encouragement for Today devotion. Our family’s been spending lots of face time with extended family and friends.
I’ve been thinking about New Year’s resolutions and how to choose things that I’m truly passionate about and will actually do. There are different areas in which I want to push myself to grow, and one of them is social growth.
My position with Next Step Speaker Services is at home, and I tend to be a little isolated. I’ve got a path worn between my house and my church, but I haven’t been working to build relationships close home. Recently I realized that I’ve lost touch with most of my neighbors. I miss the mornings chatting with all the moms at the bus stop!
My social resolution will have something to do with reconnecting with my neighbors. I’d love to be part of making my little circle of the world a place of true belonging. I’ve been thinking about restarting our book club, but here are some other fun ideas that I found online.
Make a “passport” to be stamped after eating at a restaurant of a different ethnicity every month.
Do a chick flick night.
Make a list of creative interview questions (there are lots online). Do round-robin interview night. (Think speed dating friendship edition.)
Go on an old-fashioned picnic.
Find recipes for spa treatments made out of things in your kitchen and have a spa night.
Walk a local nature trail.
Have a book trade night where everybody brings a small stack of books to trade. Have each person do a “sales pitch” for their favorite book they’ve brought. You could do a purse swap instead if you’d rather.
Do something you haven’t done since you were a kid—skating, play “H.O.R.S.E”, play a round of miniature golf, ride a carousel, play “Go Fish”…
Hijack your kids’ video games and play a slower version. (I’d love to see some video of ya’ll doing “Rock Band”!)
The first one is my favorite. What about you? Do you have ideas for creating face time with the people around you?
Thursday, December 29, 2011
A Place of True Belonging--In Our Part of the World
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8 comments:
Dear Amy, I just read your devotion on Encouragement Today and wanted to let you know that it gave me much food for thought. It's probably one of the best devotions I have read yet. Well written, exhorting and yet loving. Thanks for writing it.
Hi, Amy!
Poignant devotion today! I, too, always want face-to-face, open arms and open life. It's too easy these days to turn inward and isolate. Friends need to keep each other accountable in this.
I love the first idea on this post too! I am going to do that with our kids! What fun!! Thanks!
Praying you have a blessed 2012, truly belonging to Him!
Sharon
Thank you Amy for your devotion. God has been gentley nudging me about spending more time with family and friends and your devotion was the confirmation! Thank you for sharing!
I remember that night on Melanie's porch and wish we could re-create it. We need to find an excuse for you to come to Charlotte again!
I am right there with you in this. Working from home can be so isolating and I've discovered that having fun or connecting with friends won't just happen. I have to be intentional. I need to schedule it and get creative with taking time. I love the ideas you shared!!
Love you!
Renee
Amy, when I speak to women, in both an interpersonal setting or church events, this very topic is one I address. God convicted me of many things years ago, my relationships with Him and others topped the list.
I became SO artificial. :( Facebook, text messaging and our many other means of "communicating" make it easy to remain that way.
I praise God you shared your heart through this post. I will be referencing your devotion in the New Year on our blog. Women (people) can find the relationship that completes all relationships in Christ. :)
I always say, we would all still be living the written law if it worked...written word did not complete God's plan for us. He sent Jesus, to be in relationship with Him. When I was on FB, many years ago, I never received a friend request or wall post...He came into my life through Father, Son and Holy Spirit. :)
Great!!!!!!
Dear Amy,
I absolutely LOVED your devotional today. It truly resonated with me, as I feel the same exact way. We are losing the "human touch" in our modern world's quest to be more "social". Thank you so much for sharing your inspiring words and thoughts with us today! Please feel free to visit my blog at www.cherylsmithministries.blogspot.com. I'd love for you to come by! God bless you and your family with a wonderful new year!
Many Blessings to you,
Cheryl
Hi Amy, I like the purse swap ideal. At my church we have game night, video games, board games group games. What is fellowship without food! We also use the game night as a fund-raiser. They pay to come in and eat. For 4-6 hours people are coming, going and staying.
Thank you, God blessing!
Mary R
I truly felt your message and I touch and agree that God wants to touch and communicate face to face. And Jesus life was Excellent example.Thank you for helping all Of us see that. God bless.
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