Investments

There is a group of people- all very different - unique - all living their own lives in their own way. Some content to simply "be" - some constantly seeking more out of life - some with faith in God - some with faith in science - some with no faith at all - some that hold onto the past - some constantly looking to the future and some overwhelmed living in each moment of the present...

...Some are married, some single, some searching for the ideal romance, some testing the waters of a new relationship and some unable to move on from the relationships of the past.

Their needs and desires are as different as they are. One is looking for financial stability, one for the next big adventure, one longs for constant inspiration and one desperately wants a baby....

Though these lives go on daily - living differently - wanting differently - loving differently - they all , at the very least, share one common thread.....

-They are the greatest friends a person could ask for-

Tonight I sat around a table surrounded by a group of people I hold closest to my heart. A group of people gathered together to celebrate my birthday - my life - me.

Looking into the faces of this mismatched group I felt overwhelmingly blessed. I felt loved. I felt as though they were each personally investing into my life. They were. They are.

Which got me thinking; Why do we waste so much time on people that don't make this investment? People who don't call? Don't write? Don't send you and email out of the blue on a rainy Tuesday afternoon simply to say: "You're incredible." or a text message just to say "youre a great friend"

Why do we waste time on those who don't make time for us?

I have been blessed to have a group of friends that truly care about me - I have been blessed to be able to truly love them in return. They are my family, they are my support, they are my strength, they are the reality of my world, the beauty of connectedness, they are laughter, passion, inspiration, honesty, judgment, advice, compassion, understanding...

..and the moments spent in each others company braid our lives, and our worlds,
together,
tighter in unity.

"And as they laughed and drank their wine, I wondered how much it costs to be rich in friends and how many years and stories and scenes it takes to make a rich life happen." -Donald Miller

"the Goal of Life... "

Every now and then, a client or casual acquaintance decides to overstep the line of professionalism and send me chain emails on personal topics. Religion, Politics, Propaganda...

These emails typically get deleted or marked as spam.

For some reason, on this particular Friday I decided to open this particular email and read these particular words. I was reminded that God works through many people, and many formats of communication, and as usual He was sending me a message exactly when I needed it most. It started with a scripture:

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11

For many people in the world, real meaning in life is the next vacation, career success, or stepping up the income ladder. It is a life based on pleasurable experiences. Many a human being has toiled their whole life to gain a pleasurable lifestyle only to find a life that is empty and meaningless. You only have to watch television for one evening to discover that advertisers want us to believe this is the goal of life. The work-to-play theme is consistent with most advertising messages.

Knowing Christ brings the only real meaning and purpose to the human soul. Spend time today getting to know the Lord in a more intimate way. Then you will discover real meaning and purpose in life. [Os Hillman]

I do not know who Os Hillman is, what he believes, where he lives, who he loves. But I do know that today, his words seeped into my soul and reminded me what is important. Reminded me to continue my struggle to find meaning and beauty in this life, reminded me to continue to grow and cultivate my relationship and my connection with God. Strange, that today, I feel so much gratitude toward a total stranger who through God, was used to inspire me to keep moving forward in faith.