So, do you have a group of friends or neighbors that you can rely on in a time of need?  Not just someone you trust to babysit or feed the dog, but someone who can “care for” your family, home, pets and even YOU?!

This past week I had to have surgery. (All is well, and I am recovering fine–a slow recovery, but fine.)  And though we are back in the States and had friends who were close by to help, I realized that I had a limited number of people I felt comfortable enough to call.  Now, lots of people offered, but knowing someone well enough to call them is different.  All this led me to think, how am I investing in others so I can help them and they KNOW they can call ME?

Life is busy, everyone can attest to that.  I fiercely protect our family in not having too many activities, but even so, life is still busy.  However, God called us to be in the people business.  We are to be “fishers of men.”  But what does that look like, how is that done……especially overseas with different cultural norms?  Well, here goes my response….Be Yourself, Be who God called You to be.  Simple sounding, I know….simple in practice? YES.

Hang with me on this illustration:  Fall foliage.  Beautiful, isn’t it?  All the leaves turning golden yellow, deep red, orange and a mix in between.  What are they doing?  Dying.  Now, this whole process and a great illustration is for another blog.  But the leaves on the trees are doing EXACTLY what God created them to do.  A tree does exactly what God created it to do…and because it does we get to experience something beautiful each fall (and spring and summer).  It doesn’t try to be a cat or a person, just a tree.  Who are you trying to be?  Are you being what God called you to be?  HIS Child.

Now I realize this will look quite different for each of us, but sometimes we make this more complicated than necessary and can stress out about it.  So, this is the words of wisdom I received during my college years that I attempt to apply to today….in seeking God’s will and what He wants you to do, don’t stress about the big picture.  Wake up and seek God that day, then get up and do it again the next day, and the day after that.  When you look back over your life you will see that you followed God’s will, because you took it a day at a time.

Now, a practical thing: take the extra brownies or cookies you made to the neighbor.  You don’t have to supply them with a whole batch.  Most people are watching their weight to be healthy anyway.  So just take a few, spend 5 minutes catching up.  Let them know what is happening in your life, they will be glad to know what is going on.  When you head to the store, stop and ask if they need an extra item or so.  A mom with small ones will be very thankful she did not have to get all three small ones out just for a loaf of bread.  Yes, this will take an extra 5 minutes, but the sweet rewards will be great!

Happy fishing!
Rachel

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