Thursday, January 16, 2014

Not Alone Series: Getting Outside My Comfort Zone

Hey friends! I'm excited to share with you a lovely link-up called the Not Alone Series. Jen and her friend are the hosts, and I found them through Laura. Since one of my resolutions with Rachel is blogging well, I thought this link-up would be perfect. I'm a few days behind {I think the link-up happens on Tuesdays}, but better late then never, right? So here we go!


Topic: In what ways can you grow and stretch RIGHT NOW that could affect the whole of 2014?

Right now, I want to grow in my friendships. I want to stretch past old limits of being hospitable. I want to grow out of old, small circles of relationships. I want to speak more thoughtfully and listen more fully. 

Right now, I'm choosing to trust God and ask Him where He wants me to be, what He wants me to be doing. I'm asking Him for direction and for new dreams, and right now I'm choosing to trust that He knows what He's doing and that He'll guide me.

Right now, I'm asking God to grow my capacity for love. I read an article that basically said that humans have a limited capacity for relationship and that's why some friendships fade away after a move, because you build relationships where you're at and you can't handle maintaining all relationships. I don't want that. God is bigger than research and findings from experts. I'm crying out for God to expand my relational capacity.

Right now, growth can happen in my writing. In the next couple of weeks, you'll probably see more of Edna Walters, since my Writing Guild goal was to have "a day in the life" for her. You'll also see some more link-up participation. I don't know what God is going to do with the words that flow mind to fingers to screen, but I know that He has called me to be a good steward of His gifts, so that's what I'm going to do. 

There you have it! Check out other Not Alone Series links here, and join us for next week for a discussion on beauty

8 comments:

  1. This is beautiful, Bek! I love your comment about friendship! I've had some really lovely conversations in person in the last couple days after making an effort to listen, and I really have to remind myself to do that intentionally because life is so much nicer when we take time to give people our time. Can't wait to keep reading!

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    1. Thank you, Laura! I like the way you put that: we give people our time. That makes listening in conversation even more important and significant, I think.
      Thanks for introducing me to this link-up! :)

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  2. Bek, I loved your post! I especially enjoyed the part where you said, "God is bigger than research and findings from experts," so so so so true! Growing in friendships is something I'm working on this year whether they be old friendships or new friendships, so I felt like I related with you on that.

    Anyways, I'm excited to read more of your posts!! :)

    -Joan

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    1. Thank you, Joan! Glad you enjoyed it. Friendships are so valuable, but I think we tend to forget that they require "routine maintenance." :) I'm glad you related... that's the point of Not Alone, right? :)

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  3. YAY!! Welcome! :) SO glad you joined us, Bek!

    Friendships are so important... and they take a lot of work! All relationships where we give of ourself makes us work that much harder to be the person we are called to be. We do have a limited capacity to love, as we are not God. BUT! That doesn't mean we shouldn't try, ya know? Many prayers for you as you make your friendships stronger!

    Can't wait to read more from ya!

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    1. Thank you, and thanks for hosting! :)

      Making friends as an adult is hard, but SO worthwhile! Thanks for your prayers! :)

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  4. Ahh trust God, trust God, seek God and trust Him some more---so good!! And also that thought about the relationships is so interesting!

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    1. That pretty much sums up life, doesn't it, Natalie :) Thanks for stopping by!

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