Practice Hope
Encourage, Educate, Equip
Will you be my friend?
Remember when you were in elementary school and making friends was as easy as passing a note? You would ask if someone would be your friend with two boxes underneath to check yes or no. I wish it were that easy when you are mid-40’s ish and have kids headed into high school. It is so easy to get caught up in “life” and neglect those carefree days of play dates, climbing trees with your bestie, or knowing exactly who to talk to when you were upset. I have been feeling this way lately, a little lost, a little alone, a little unlike who I used to be.
In Jennie Allen’s devotional Made for This ~ 40 Days to living your Purpose she speaks of the importance of intentional friendships. She references the tv show Friends and how many of us longed for that type of friendship and feeling of being one of the gang. The truth is that true deep friendships require love and effort to keep them going. I realize that I got so wrapped up in being a mom, teacher, and having a special needs child, that I neglected to keep pursuing my friends and finding ways to connect on deeper levels. We all use the term BK, before kids, when we joke about how tired we are or unable to hang out with friends. I think some of us have used BK as an excuse for letting life get in front of our relationships.
Jennie prompted her reader to step out of her comfort zone and take risks. She also made it clear that in this stage of life, people are not going to pursue a new friendship. I need to put myself out there and be the one to purse friendships. Well, I did it!
There is a local blogger I stumbled upon called @littledotbigdifference. She promotes local businesses and philanthropies to simply share inspiration. On Instagram, she posted pictures of her hiking a mountain with 2-3 other women. Her caption is what caught my attention. It said,
“Sometimes you just have to grab a group of dreamers and best life chasers… and simply start. Start the week on the right foot…Start visualizing the life you want today and 10 years from now. We meet bright and early every Sunday and YOU are invited.”
She invited anyone! I did not have to prove I was pretty enough, fit enough, rich enough. Just DM her for exact time, and be there. So, I did it! I was at the mountain trailhead at 5:45am and scared to meet these women, but so thankful that I did. They were open, honest, funny, and genuinely caring people. So, if you are in the Phoenix area, join us when the weather cools down.
I pledge to invest more of my time in loving and giving to others.
Here’s to new adventures with new and rekindled (some of you may be hearing from me) dear friends!
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these. Mark 12: 30-31
Practice Hope 
thanks!
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Know once you begin something, you always succeed! As your mom, I am glad we are also friends!
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