Monday, January 19, 2009

The Power of Presence

Girl's Night at my house. A dear friend spent the night last night and we enjoyed an inexpensive dinner at a nearby restaurant and returned to my house for a dvd movie that was silly and full of laughs. I had just the right snacks including gooey sweet chocolate eclairs. I don't know when I've laughed so much.

This morning we went over some of my writing drafts and God blessed us tremendously with revelation knowledge that tied right in with a magnificent sermon by our pastor. My friend packed up her things after a simple lunch and graciously thanked me for the "life" that was coming into her after our respite that refilled her "battery." She lives a few miles away, but she said she felt as though she had flown to a resort and had a great vacation.

She has some huge issues in her family and the finances are tight. In listening to her in the last few weeks this weekend's girls night came to me. She said her husband and other family member were a bit baffled by the purpose of her sleepover with me just down the road, but they had no objections.

Seeing her renewed and strong to continue her beautiful walk in a tough place as God directs her; I find myself wonderfully "lifed" also. I have a large home and I hope God invites others who can take a break from their hard walks and catch their breaths. I believe we have complicated ministry many times into expensive conferences, programmed events. One on one, spending a little time together being friends; praising the Lord may keep us all going in full strength no matter what we may be going through. My budget is tighter than its been in years, but I'm finding everything I need can be addressed. Earlier I would have looked up a women's conference for my friend and I to attend for our R&R. The girl's night was more fun and opened up God's truth more than any conference I ever attended.

Got any ideas of ministering to one another that we need to consider with the economy down?

6 comments:

sailorcross said...

Oh, I'm on my way!! How far away do you live? I need a girls' night like that!!

I know a friend and I "planned" to spend an evening together and just watch a movie, talk and be silly. Unfortunately, those plans fell through.

Sometimes the simplest of things are the best, aren't they? Just being together--I love it!!

Yes, my finances are tight, too. But, servanthood is on my mind also. By donating our time and talents, resources that we may have at our fingertips--we can effectively serve others and in doing so serve OUR LORD.

Check it out--you and I are on the same page again!! AMAZING!!

Beth

Dorothy Champagne said...

I'll be right behind Beth!

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

I LOVE this Kay!! It's so neat to be able to open up our homes and meet needs rather than have to spend hundreds of dollars on a girls get-away! I'm all about this these days!! And I'll be by next weekend. Ha ha. =)

Kelly said...

My friend & I usually meet at Starbucks for fellowship, but going to one another's homes provides a welcome chance to really talk, even about personal issues, without interruption. And free refills on the coffee!

Anonymous said...

i think austerity is next to godliness!

this is good for our country, our churches, and us as individuals.

We all need to 'scale back"

Bringer of Peace said...

Thanks for putting it so simply.

My circumstances at present don't set quite so well for an 'overnighter' (no beds) but I'm wondering about even inviting someone to come over for a few hours during a day.

God bless

© 2008 Kay Martin

Thrive In Christ

Who I Am In Christ by Neil Anderson

For several months we will center on this book to pursue Thriving in our Christian journey.

Neil challenges us with: "Do you know who you are in God's eyes? We are no longer products of our past. We are primarily products of Christ's work on the cross. Who we are determines what we do.

You are not who you are in Christ because of the things you have done, you are in Christ because of what He has done. He died and rose again so that you and I could live in the FREEDOM of His love."

That's just the introduction. More to follow.