Coffee Date

If we were on a coffee date I'd share with you of all the wonders going on in our lives. Things such as our rejuvenated spirits thanks to our beach vacation; or how God has been working out some pretty interesting details; or how (thanks to Him) we found the leak in our skylight and {hopefully} repaired it.

 

If we were on a coffee date I would ask you what's been going on with you, what's new and exciting in your life. Whether it be school, work, kids, who you're dating, husband lovin', I'd want you to share your soul with me.

 

If we were on a coffee date I would giggle as I confessed that eating crow is so good. Add a dash of salt and it tastes just like humble pie. My "crow" would be how much I have truly grown to love church. Because if you remember, I went through a period of hating church. Not so much The Church, as in God's intended church, but as in what church has become. I would have argued before that it has become a way of guilt-tripping people, country clubbish, hypocritical. And then I realized I was focusing on the wrong thing: PEOPLE. When you remember why you should be going to church in the first place (duh, to worship GOD), then your whole perspective changes. And people don't piss you off anymore :)

 

If we were on a coffee date I'd ask for prayers. Prayers for my MIL as she begins treatments at the end of July; prayers for our lives as we are in the midst of seeing what God has in store for us. I would ask you what your prayers are and together, we would pray. Because let's be honest, when somebody says, "Oh, I'll pray for you," they usually don't. Trust me, I used to be one of those.

 

If we were on a coffee date we'd laugh and laugh over all the frivolous things in our lives. And rejoice in our friendship, make promises to do this again soon. Because I dadgum love you, I would give you a big hug.

Coffee date + Learning to EMBRACE

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced ya'll to my word of the year: EMBRACE. I felt like change was on the horizons. I didn't know what it looked like, when it would come, how it would feel. Because of some recent changes in our lives, I felt a coffee date was just the ticket to catch up and share these moments...

+ If we were on a coffee date... I would first give you the biggest hug (because I'm a hugger and all about invading that personal space) and ask you how you are. How's work/school/family? Tell me what's been happening in your life. I feel like the world tends to be pretty self-centered so I'm trying to change that outlook. Ha!

+ If we were on a coffee date... I would share with you my struggles lately in my spiritual walk with God. I know we all have seasons. But my season has drug on for some time now. And it's depressing, frustrating, and lonely. I would also share with you that I am actively working with God in trying to pull me out of this season, and thanks to friends such as you, I'm inspired to be more positive about it.

+ If we were on a coffee date... We'd probably laugh at all things goofy going on in our lives because honestly, I'm always up for a good dosage of laughter. Plus, it's in my nature to be quippy and giggly before I get to the serious stuff.

+ If we were on a coffee date... I would share with you that Hunter and I have recently stepped down from our youth leadership positions. This is something we had both been struggling with separately, and it wasn't until we came together to talk and pray fervently about it, that we realized God was calling us to step down. I might have some tears in my eyes because my soul is at such peace with this decision. I've never felt more peace in my life over a decision that wasn't an easy one to make. But we know God is sovereign, He is good, and He will lead us. All this means is we'll just be a part of our teenagers lives in a different way - which might be better!

+ If we were on a coffee date... I would strongly urge you to find ways to fill your spiritual well daily. Because when you consistently pour into others (which can be rewarding!) but don't take time to pour into yourself, you become dry and empty. And then those that you're trying to pour into are at a disadvantage. Trust me.

I would end this coffee date with another hug and promises that ensure another date of some kind. My thank you's would be full and heartfelt - thank you for listening to my weary words; thank you for not trying to rudely pry into our personal lives in regards to our recent change (there are those folks that are going to do this), and allowing me to share what I feel is necessary. As a wise friend once said - not everybody is privy to all the details of your life. Thank you for being the friend I needed.

Coffee Date

It's been a hot minute since we've sat down and had some coffee, talked about life, work out the kinks, etc. Come on, let's grab some brew in that ole controversial red cup #GetALifePeople #BestMarketingEver...
 

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I would be quick to give you the biggest hug. People are all about that personal bubble nowadays and guarding their space. I say let's bust that bubble wide open and let's start embracing each other warmly and without fail.

 

I'd ask your advice on fencing. Simply put, our 2 pups decided to get smart after 3 months of being in the backyard, fenced in, and dug their way out. I came home from work to the animal control hanging out with them in my front yard. To top it off, it was on Friday the 13th #Superstitious #LittleStitious.

 

I'd want to know what your plans are for Thanksgiving and Christmas (because that's what Hunter and I celebrate). Would you be traveling? Staying close to home? I'm eager to say that we are actually staying home this year and we need it. Of course, hunting season opens Thanksgiving morning so I'm sure we'll be out in the woods #WeHuntForMeat.

 

I would ask what's going on in your life. How's work, school, relationships? I would ask because I want to know where your heart is at so that I could be in prayer for you. Did you know that if you actually say a person's name during your prayer it becomes that much more personal and bold? I had forgotten to actually say a person's name when I would be praying on their behalf. It really changes the way your heart beats.
 

 

In return, I'd ask for your prayers. Prayers over our youth ministry and our tiny little church that could. Prayers for peace as we are entering into a season of frustration and unanswered questions. I would probably tear up, fight back those tears, and not make eye contact with you. Simply because I don't like to cry in front of others.

 

I would ask that we do this again soon. I'm all about that personal time spent together. We never know what tomorrow will hold so let's embrace today for what it is.

Care to join me over a cup'a joe?

 

 

If we were having coffee: I would hug you so hard the instant you walked up to me. I love a good hug, I'm a hugger, and it's how I show you how much you mean to me. Heck, I've hugged practically strangers just to let them know, I care.

 

If we were having coffee: I would tell you all about mine and Hunter's newest trip God has planned for us. God is putting us back into our house that I own, and boy oh boy, it wasn't what we were expecting. I truly believe that God has a good sense of humor. We're excited about this adventure!

 

If we were having coffee: I'd share my heart with you on how much it pains me to know that people can watch the world go by without ever reaching out a helping hand. I. Just. Don't. Plain. Get. It. I would ask you to pray for my heart, and that it would let go of that judgment against those folks because Lord knows, I'm in no place to judge.

 

If we were having coffee: I would be sipping on either an iced caramel macchiato or a caramel frappuccino. Because I'm fancy like that.

 

If we were having coffee: I would want to know all that is happening in your life: family, home, work, etc. I'd listen so intently, interject here and there because sometimes I just can't hush, and laugh in all the right places. I would want to know of any struggles you're having so that I can pray for you and the strength to persevere.

 

If we were having coffee: I'd share with you that Hunter and I are paying down our debts like wild people. I wouldn't share that to brag but to simply ask for your prayers in our efforts to unweigh ourselves from this awful debt.

 

If we were having coffee: I would tell you about my newest hobby that I'm dipping into - photography and graphic design. I've been mulling over this hobby for almost 1.5 years now, almost went back to school to get certified in graphic design, decided not to, and I've been getting graphic design projects at work that have just lit my fire like you wouldn't believe. I love the art of it all, thus, a new hobby of mine is blooming.

 

If we were having coffee: I would ask if we could do this again soon, and make promises to keep in touch with you until we did see each other again. And of course, I would hug you.