gather

I just finished reading Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist. I devoured it. Could not put it down. The writing and the recipes... I am inspired and encouraged, a better person for reading it. It was good for my heart and my soul, and it very naturally lead to such intimate prayer time with my Savior – not just talking, but really listening…

For a very long time, I have just let life happen. And while that is very me, in the last few months, I have felt called to…more. So I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about 2015, and while I have [lots of] ideas, I don’t yet know what “more” is.

But I have lots of ideas. Me. And while I have been praying about it, it was more like talking at God than having a conversation.

But while I was reading Monday, curled up on our comfy loveseat overlooking our backyard, it struck me – the people God has given me, those people, those relationships, they are what matter. They are my tribe, my community, my “more”. And being intentional about those relationships is the most important thing.

So my theme for 2015 is…

Maybe it’s a big traditional gathering like Thanksgiving or Christmas; maybe it’s being in the kitchen making a meal with my family; maybe it’s hanging out around the table on a Saturday afternoon enjoying a conversation with my husband and my daddy; maybe it’s serving with my church family or singing alongside them in Sunday service; maybe it’s a cup of coffee with a friend.

Maybe it’s all those things and then some.

But no matter the gathering, I will be intentional about creating space for life with the people I love - space for conversation, space for laughter and tears, space for my people to come and tell their stories because they know they are loved. Because those honest moments, good and bad, are our lives. And I want to be present for it all.

Father God, thank You for Shauna and for her gift of words. Thank You for knowing me well and for caring enough to give me a book to read at just the right time. Bless this year. Bless my people. And bless the gatherings, big and small. May You be honored in all of it. I love You so much. Amen.