I checked my email as soon as I woke up. Then I made breakfast and checked it again. Had my devotional time and checked it again. Ran some errands and checked it on my phone. When I got home, I checked it once more.
I sensed the Holy Spirit nudging me to pause and ask myself, “Why do you keep checking your email?”
I wasn’t sure if it was God or me answering, but my thoughts intertwined with His Spirit whispered: You keep coming back because your heart longs for connection with a friend.
Yet no matter how many times I checked email, it was never enough to satisfy my craving.
With a busy schedule at work and home, I’d cut back on my time socializing with neighbors and hanging out with friends. Although I hadn’t completely cut out my friendships, my face-to-face connection time had been reduced to a minimum. I realized I’d let the pendulum swing too far and now I was checking email repeatedly, trying to fill a God-created need for relationships with a white screen and black alphabet keys.
That day as I sat in front of my screen for the fifth time, Jesus revealed the source of my incessant email checking and reminded me I am created for real-life connections.
I need to fill that lonely place in my heart with friends I can share life with — in person.
I know friendships are not easy to build. They take time and most of us don’t have enough of it. But in this age of technology, I think it’s really important to evaluate and balance connections that are screen-to-screen rather than face-to-face.
So, Im getting intentional about pulling away from my computer, phones and television to intentionally carve out time for friends. We all need those times where we can meet in person to share what’s going on in our lives.
Jesus needed face-to-face connections, too. He surrounded Himself with intimate friends — first His Father, then close friends like John, Peter and James, and then the other disciples. Through His example we see how important it is to satisfy our craving for connections by spending face-to-face time with friends.
An Invitation JUST FOR YOU!!
What do you think about taking time to pull away from your computer, and the stress of everyday life, to connect with a friend on a Girls Getaawy with me and Melissa Taylor of Proverbs 31 Ministries? We would LOVE for you to join us on the Girlfriend Getaway Cruise in October! Here’s a few details and a fun video where I get to tell you more… Hope you’ll watch it ’cause it just might be possible that this little get away is just what your heart needs!
To find out more, visit the Girlfriend Getaway Cruise website!
Also, when you book your cruise you will receive a one night stay at the luxurious Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa for FREE. Each stateroom will receive one hotel room for Wednesday night, October 2nd. You will be good and rested for our fun cruise adventure! Remember, use the code “Proverbs 31” you will receive $100 off the entire package! Can’t wait to sail the high seas with YOU!
Enter to Win a Girlfriend Gift Pak {which includes 2 copies of my book, a Starbucks gift card and set of pretty note cards}! To enter, let me know your thoughts about the cruise, one money-saving or money-making idea that might be a good way for us to get the money to go, and who would you go with if you won a trip!?
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I love the idea of a get a-way cruise especially the opportunities to worship the Lord, to embrace God’s word with other people! Awesome! The Lord created us for relationship with Him and each other and this is an opportunity to come together and bring others together. Money saving idea’s – sacrificing foods that are not necessary at the grocery store, or eating out and redirecting that money toward the cruise. Also, using the handiwork of my hands (sewing, knitting, crocheting to make small projects to sell at a summer flea market or bazaar – put profit half toward cruise and half toward a mission organization.) There are many I would bring on the cruise if I could but one friend in particular always sacrifices herself for her family and others. She has a special needs child who is 18 now and she has given so much of herself that I would like for her to bask in the goodness of God’s arms for 4 days. She loves to worship Him and His word is her lifeline. I know this would be such a time of encouragement for her. Blessings!
I could earn some extra $ by going through the house and thinning out things that we do not use, clothes that don’t fit,etc and have a rummage sale or sell on area buy, sell, trade facebook page. If I won a trip(would be AWESOME!) I would take my sister. We have talked for years about doing a get away together and have not been able to afford it so this would be perfect!
Wow! Winning this would be a dream come true. I’m a Nurse, mother of 3, and wife. I am very stressed right now due to finances, life, etc. Last night, I opened my Bible to Matter chapter 6, and God reminded me of how much he cares and takes care of ALL of our needs. Money saving ideas are packing my lunch for work, using coupons and cash at the grocery store, turning off lights when I leave the room, and just being aware of all the little things I purchase that are nonessientials. To raise money, a garage sale, babysitting, change jars, working overtime. If I win, I would bring my best friend, Brandi. She is a children’s pastor at a small church, volunteers at a Juvenile detention center, and is always there for everyone. She shares Christ’s love with everyone she meets. She gives so much. She deserves this trip. If we don’t win…I pray that someone who gives to other’s to show the love of Christ needs a chance to renew and refresh! God Bless You and everyone who has commented and reads this!
Wow!! This sounds so incredible!!! A Getaway Girls cruise with a friend sounds amazing! What better way to spend time in the teaching & learning of the Word and cultivate a deeper, meaningful relationship with both my Heavenly Father and my earthly friend!?! At this moment, it is definitely difficult to think of one person that I would take with me for the simple reason that I would want them all to experience something so wonderful. I’ll have to think about that one extra hard. How would I save for the trip? That one is rather simple! Living in Georgia, I’m a natural Southerner and love, love, love my sweet tea; so much so that I go through the drive thru on a daily basis to grab a large size and be on my way. I have never been a really good water drinker, but saving the money I spend daily on my sweet tea to go on a fabulous cruise is definitely motivating!! All in all, a very attainable goal for an amazing getaway.
Your comment is great! It would be a fabulous time to refresh! Good luck, Allison!
*Wonderfabugreat!* That is my thought! A girlee cruise is just what the doctor ordered. Proverbs 17:22 tells us a cheerful heart is good like medicine. I think this fits the definition of good medicine. There will be tons of laughter, loads of love, and lots of Jesus! Who can beat that? I always think cleaning out the house of unwanted or unused items and having a garage sale is always a terrific way to bring in extra funds. Not to mention, the JOY you have when having the sale with your girlfriends. (Me and a bunch of my fabulous friends are having one together this Friday.) If I won the trip—-I would take someone who had never been on a cruise, who needs a break from the hustle and bustle of life, and who needs to be blessed-beyond-belief!