Reaching Out

Reaching Out

            How do you touch God?  I think it would be so amazing to physically hold Jesus’ hand or give Him a hug.  How lucky are the people in the Bible that had the opportunity to touch the Maker of the universe? 

            This week was a tricky task!  Ahaha, a welcome chance for a challenge.  I want to thank my two amazing girlfriends that offered creative ideas for this week!  I want to try out both of their ideas (I think you will be impressed).  Lucky for me, this project stretches out until around Easter time, so I will be able to give both ideas a go. 

            My beautiful and incredible friend Sarah offered an idea that I was excited to give a try.  She mentioned that when she dances for God, she feels very physically close to Him (perhaps she can elaborate more for us! Wink wink nudge nudge).  I decided to give this a try. 

During worship time this week, I started to dance before God.  An unexpected twist of events occurred though…  I felt still.  My body slowed in His heavy presence and I just stood with my hands toward heaven.  Still.  Quiet.  His presence is so amazing.  Words really don’t do bring accurate description to the awe of being encompassed in His love and saturated in His grace.  In amongst the power of His presence, I felt unexpectedly exposed.  It was such a humbling experience.  Perhaps God is the one who touches us… maybe it is when we reach out to Him, He sees our heart effort and meets us for a moment of complete surrender and closeness.   

Month	January	January	February	February	February
Week Starting	21st	28th	4th	11th	18th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Physical Touch	Acts of Service
How?	Spend half an hour this week alone in “praise and worship” time.	Write God a "love letter."	Give a monetary gift offering above my tithe.	Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!	Make cookies.

Love Offering

Love Offering

            I believe in giving 10% of my income to God.  For some, this concept is quite familiar.  For those not familiar with this idea, giving 10% back to God is called a tithe.  (Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 3:9-10)  I like to think of tithing as my way of saying “thank you” to God for a job, a wonderful life, and blessings abounding (presently and in the future).  Tithing has been a part of my life since I was a child.  To be completely truthful, I really do love to tithe.  I get so excited around tax season, because I get to see how much I sowed into my church!  It is exciting to think of how the money is impacting others!  It is a blessing to be a blessing.  For this week’s love language, I gave an additional offering to God.

            Although this may seem like it was not effortful, allow me to explain.  My new job is actually an internship.  A 7-month, unpaid internship.  I love it; however, as you can imagine, it does cause some financial concern.  Giving an additional gift to the Lord was a stretch.  I wanted this offering to be special, not just something that I can check off of my list.  What I did not want this event to look like was to see the offering bucket get passed by, I slip in a check and think to myself, “There we go!  All done!  Thanks, God!”  I wanted this to be meaningful and loving.

            I took some time to pray before ever going to church.  I spent time really thinking about what the money could do.  I thought about the money helping with missions work, adding to our new church building fund, assisting in outreach events to bring people to the Lord.  It was so moving to ponder!  Then my logical side kicked into gear…I thought about all of the things my  love offering could do and then thought about the monetary amount.  No way could this amount do all of that!  Impossible!

            With the gentlest voice, the Lord reminded me of the story in Mark 6:30-44 where Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied them to feed a large crowd.  “I can do this with your offering.”  Wow, how could I ever have doubted the majesty and greatness that God can do with so little.  He gives us love, we love Him back, and He uses us to love and help others. 

What an amazing and perfectly loving plan.

Month	January	January	February	February	February
Week Starting	21st	28th	4th	11th	18th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Physical Touch	Acts of Service
How?	Spend half an hour this week alone in “praise and worship” time.	Write God a "love letter."	Give a monetary gift offering above my tithe.	Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!	*To be announced!

Signed With Love

Signed With Love

            Hola, Friends!  Week 2 of the plan was amaaaazing!  Even though Words of Affirmation is not my primary love language, this activity seemed effortless.  I would totally recommend writing a love letter to God as a way of growing closer to Him. 

            Initially, finding time to write a letter was difficult.  I am realizing that I am very good at finding excuses to be busy.  In conjunction, my new job requires me to spend a lot of time writing.  And I mean a LOT of time writing.  More writing just made my eyes dizzy at the thought. 

            On Friday, I had a day off from my new job, which meant that I could schedule a day with munchkins.  I worked as a substitute teacher for a little 2^nd grade class during the day.  I am a pretty organized person, so I can schedule my days in the classroom in a manner that allows me to have what I like to call “self-care time.”  “Self-care time” is a set amount of time to refresh and revive before getting back to work.  It’s my way of (hopefully!) preventing burnout.  I decided to use this time to write my love letter.  I settled at my teacher desk, took out a piece of that special lined paper the kiddos use to practice penmanship, and popped in my iPod.  I sat for a minute listening to a worship song…just basking in the words…then put pen to paper.

            I felt so relaxed writing.  Transferring my thoughts into words on paper seemed to make the emotions stronger.  I felt more from the words from writing them in black and white instead of saying them in prayer.  Giving words of love to God was effortless.  I could have continued my letter for hours.  There is just so much to thank and praise Him for.  

            Next week I will be putting the love language of Gifts into practice.  It will be a challenge!  If you have been trying some of these activities in your own way, please feel welcome to share!  We have so much we can learn from each other.  

Month	January	January	February	February	February
Week Starting	21st	28th	4th	11th	18th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Acts of Service	Physical Touch
How?	Spend half an hour this week alone in “praise and worship” time.	Write God a "love letter."	Give a monetary gift offering above my tithe.	*To be announced!	*To be announced!