Who are your people?

 When we moved here 22 years ago, we weren't welcomed into the community.  The lady who owned this farm before us was praying for a Christian family to buy her farm.  We were praying for a farm to buy.  God brought us together.

  So why weren't we welcomed into the community?  Well, this is a farm community and everyone values acres.  The more acres a farmer has access to (owned or rented) the more crops he can grow.  The less acres he has access to, the less crops he can grow.  DA right?

  Well, after we met the wonderful woman of God who was selling this farm, she told us that the neighboring farmers had been approaching her ever since she listed the farm for sale.  Each one asked her to sell them the piece that was closest to their farms.  This is normal and, I suppose, natural.

  However, when she told her neighbors that she wouldn't sell them that piece, they were NOT HAPPY!  She explained that it was a family farm and she wanted it to stay a family farm.  She wanted the farm to be kept together into the one unit that she and her husband had built over a lifetime.  She wanted people living in the house and using the buildings.  She wanted a Christian family to keep the farm together.

  So, when we met and found we were all fellow believers in Christ, we clicked.  We hit it off right away.  She was happy.  We were happy.

  When God opened the door financially for us to buy Gladys's farm, we were overjoyed.  However, when the neighbors got wind of it, their welcome mats were withdrawn.  );

  There was one older and wiser farm wife, Frannie, who had the courage to go against the flow even though her husband was one of the farmers giving us the cold shoulder.  Frannie welcomed us and started the practice of neighborhood tea parties which we continue to this day.  A couple of years later, Frannie moved to Heaven and the tea parties floundered.

  However, God wanted them to continue and He had our neighbor marry a woman named Shirley.  If you can believe this, Shirley RESTARTED the neighborhood monthly tea parties.  They are the highlight of my month as we ladies host in each other's homes and build our community.

  A few years later, Shirley and I started the neighborhood ladies Bible study which is THE best fellowship I have.  We pray with and for each other.  Later we started a text group where we can share prayer requests as they come up without having to wait until we can meet again.   We support each other with our prayers when they are needed most.  We celebrate answered prayers, too and continue building our community.

  There are about 10 women and 6 children present each month. I love visiting their homes and having them in mine.  I LOVE our community so this word today was confirmation that we need each other!!

  If you don't have a local circle of friends, then I would urge you to host a tea party and invite those living nearby.  You'll be surprised how many will come to a tea party!  You men can go out for coffee together. The point is that we aren't' meant to live on a deserted island!  We need each other.

  I hope you enjoy today's email from THE PASSION TRANSLATION team.  They are such a blessing to me!

 Dawn

I Hear His Whisper...

It is important that you find your people.

I want you to surround yourself with people who encourage and support you—those who not only see the gold in you, but call out the hidden treasure. Beloved, you deserve to have people who will walk alongside you to support you, to walk with you through difficulties, and to help make you a better person.   You are worthy of deep and meaningful friendships and mentors. You also have much to share with others. If you are in a place where you don’t feel valued or supported, if you haven’t found your group of like-minded people, ask me for direction. I will lead you to those you’ll love getting to know. I’ll also need you to do your part to step out and interact with them. Don’t neglect the opportunities I place before you. There are seasons when you may feel that no one understands you, seasons when I’ve set you apart in order for you to come away and grow in me. But there are also times for you to dive into community and friendships. It’s time to find your people!   I Hear His Whisper written by Brian Simmons and Gretchen Rodriguez

Proverbs 18:24 The Passion Translation   Some friendships don’t last for long, but there is one loving friend who is joined to your heart closer than any other!