LIKE MINDED BLESSINGS

Have you noticed and experienced extra blessings when you take time out of your busy schedule to take time to fellowship with like minded believers?  

Each of our stories are so important and worth sharing with each other.  Yes, like that Community that I talked about last week!

 

I have found this to be true in my life and experienced that even this week.

My youngest son’s preschool teacher, who I had the honor of helping in her class about 10 years after my son attended, moved from the area about 3 years ago. During our time of working together for three years we bonded even more. It was hard when she moved to a neighboring state, but thankfully it was only about 1 1/2 hours away. We keep in touch via texting every now and then especially when one of us might need some extra prayer with events happening in our lives.

What is extra special is when we make time to physically get together and can converse face to face.  Those times are always special and seem to be when we need some like minded blessings.

 

Meeting with her this week was extra special because it was the first time she insisted on coming up this way as we also took a little time to stroll down memory lane to see her old houses and neighborhoods.  It was God’s perfect timing orchestrated in that she even got to see my son, who is now a senior in high school!  Ironically, he was not going to come home as he was heading to work shortly after school but there he was!  It was the first time they had seen each other in at least 5 years.

We both were so uplifted after meeting and enjoyed God’s blessings!

 

My son, at age 5 & his preschool teacher

 

My son, at age 18, heading to work & his preschool teacher

 

 

 

The other like minded blessings in my week was in wanting to attend an intimate, small environment concert of a Christian singer, Weston Skaggs, that I had never seen in person before.  I had only listened to a few snippets of his music but hadn’t had a chance to purchase any of it yet.

 

I had been following him on social media and was impressed by his story and the faith he shares.  A few months ago I noted that he was going to be doing a few concerts over two hours away from me so I marked it on my calendar to get more information as the time got closer. That is what I did a few weeks ago at which time I found out the one event was cancelled so I definitely wanted to get to the one that was listed as this past Saturday on his website.

 

After a busy Friday of commitments I finally sat down to my computer about 4:30 pm.  All of a sudden I had the prompting that I should check with him to make sure the concert was still on for the next day. The weather forecast was for rain and wind all day, possibly even snow in the higher elevations and I didn’t want to drive the distance with those kind of weather conditions to find out it was cancelled.

 

It was definitely a God thing that he responded right away that it was this night, Friday and that he was almost to the church!  I looked at my watch and it was about 2 hrs and 15 minutes before it was suppose to start!

 

Well, I knew from researching prior, it was going to take a good 2 1/4 hrs to get there and I had to get the GPS ready, grab some food to take with me, etc.  The weather was perfect with no precipitation and I didn’t have any plans that night so I let him know I was on my way and would be a little late.

 

God was good and I arrived 15 minutes after it was slated to start. I was promptly greeted by the pastor of the church. Much to my surprise, Weston said that they did delay the start (I think for me!) and he had just started his first song when I walked in!  That was pretty amazing– though I did basically miss that song because I had to use the ladies room first!  🙂

 

As I sat there in a seat in the back by myself, I closed my eyes through most of the concert just worshipping the Lord through the music and stories Weston was sharing. It was easy to relate to his stories as he is very down to earth and personable.

 

A selfie with Weston Skaggs

 

 

I didn’t want the music to stop but after 1 1/2 hrs it did.  It sure felt like the time flew by. At the end, the pastor came over to talk with me, followed by Weston. It was easy to find common ground in talking with them.

There were some refreshments in the hall, for which I was thankful, since I had only eaten a little of food on the way up in the car.  I sat at a table by myself and a kind lady came over to keep me company.  We started chatting and enjoyed some nice conversation.  Listening to people’s stories is always fascinating to me and I think we can learn so much from each other.

 

Being with like minded people afforded me many blessings that evening.

It is a great feeling being able to share our stories and love for the Lord with people that we previously never even saw before! Listening to Weston’s music helped me have a wonderful time of worship and I got to take a few CD’s home with me as well so that opportunity is available anytime! Take a few minutes to check out Weston Skaggs Music and listen to the song entitled Lay It Down that has the video right there…a powerful song! I believe you will be blessed!

 

 

The ride home with less traffic, since it was late at night into early morning, was awesome as I kept listening to Weston’s CD’s all the way! As a bonus, I got to enjoy a Dairy Queen Blizzard on the way home since we don’t have them in my area…and there was one nearby!  (Yes, I really enjoy them, especially the snickerdoodle cookie dough one!)

 

 

I am so thankful for the like minded people I get to share life with and the opportunities to touch other’s lives all because of Jesus!  These people  are a source of encouragement and joy.

 

 

May these thoughts encourage you this week to take a little time to spend with those like minded people you have in your life.
Take time to share your story with those people whose life you touch and even someone you don’t personally know.
Those are the important things in life!
You will be blessed greatly!

 

Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.  –Matthew 18:20 (CEV)

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.  –Psalm 95:1-2 (NIV)

 

Author: Christine

Welcome to Hope to Inspire You….Highlighting God’s presence to Inspire your Life! I’m Christine, a Christian, hoping to inspire you by sharing what is in my heart about our faith and our great God. Take some time, read some of my thoughts, and feel free to comment and share your thoughts…It would be a blessing to hear from you. My prayer is that you may be inspired and blessed in some small way by reading!

4 thoughts on “LIKE MINDED BLESSINGS”

  1. just shortly before i received your email today i had the feeling that i was being encouraged to share my life story with others. This was a feeling that i had while walking on a bridge this afternoon. the feeling was accompanied by a glimpse of a bright yellow butterfly that flew past my feet, flew a few feet before disappearing from view. at the time i thought of you and how you share so much with others. then i got home and now read your posting. perfect timing – thanks be to God.

    1. Wow….What a cool revelation from above, Sandy! Thank you for sharing that. I am so honored that you are a like minded person in my life; so thankful we bonded over Stephen Ministry and have kept in touch! I’m so glad to hear you are up and around as well. Sending you love and prayers, my dear friend!

  2. Hi Christine, I’m always amazed at what people will share about themselves. I’m part of the team that prepares others to be welcomed into the Catholic Church (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults…RCIA) and one of the first things that is said at the outset is that nothing that is said in the room will ever leave the room. So, both the candidates as well as the team members share freely and openly with each other. I believe it truly is the courage that God instills in each one of us that helps to lay that foundation of candid, honest discussion. Once again, thank you for your insight and for letting us into your life as well.

    1. Jeff: It sure is a great blessing to be able to share freely and openly with others, when that trust and respect are there. Yes, I agree it is because of the courage that God instills in us. Thank you for sharing your gift of ministry through RCIA which is a very special gift to others! Many thanks for faithfully reading my reflections and for sharing. Blessings to you and your family~

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