DO LIFE TOGETHER
Countercultural thinking at its finest.
These days that we navigate through are all about "me," "my," & "I can do bad all by myself." While that may be true, that mindset gets lonely. I will state right off the bat that some seasons of life must be walked alone (not lonely), some days we need to take a step back and just be alone with God, and past experiences can make it hard to trust and be vulnerable.
While all the afore mentioned are true, life wasn't meant to be lived as an island. I'm grateful for the times I've spent alone, so I can learn who I am and what I need. I'm also, though, incredibly grateful for my close, small circle of friends who hold me acountable and hold a mirror to my face so I can see my strengths and weaknesses, cause me to grow, and who love me through it, flaws and all.
It's really easy for me to check out when I feel like I'm not being fulfilled, or I'm too preoccupied with whatever is going on in my life. Selfish right? Go ahead... you can say it. I get so caught up trying to reach my goals that I loose sight of whats going on in my loved ones' lives. God has really been checking me lately about staying connected to the people that love me, and being intentional about nurturing those relationships. This scripture was impressed on my heart:
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
People need people! I'm not saying get all up in the Kool-aid without knowing the flavor or being invited, but definitely make yourself available, and allow people to be there for you as well. I definitely struggle with that at times: i.e.. "I got me," "I got this," etc., etc.. Allow yourself to be vulnerable enough to need someone to talk to, or to occasionally lean on, or to help you. It's a great feeling to have people in your corner rooting for you. I truly feel in my heart that staying connected is a key component to staying mentally healthy.
Pause right now and think about who you keep close to you. Which opinions matter to you? Who gives sound advice? Who can you call in the middle of the night? These types of relationships aren't microwave fast, they take dedication. Although sometimes hard, these types of relationships are incredibly beneficial.
Life is not meant to be lived alone. Humans are relational beings. We need people to laugh and cry with, people to encourage us, and people to love.
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
People need people! You need to have God centered kings and queens around you in order to stay sharp. Two dull implements won't do each other any good. Take a good look around you to look at the company you keep. You know they say that bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33), so surround yourself with people who push you to be the best you, you can be.
Reach out to someone you care about today, & tell them you love them. Make an effort to stay connected & keep good company.
Make a commitment to do life together.
♡