Volume 108: Rest in Loving Others

"Well, well, well look who finally called us back! We tried to call you three times!"

It was a Sunday morning in October and I had just gotten out of church...

I Facetimed my family back, who was all together, sitting around my Mom's living room. 

There was nothing abnormal about the scene, but as I hung up, I felt this sadness about the fact that church isn't even a thought for my family on a Sunday morning. (my Dad does go to church often tho!)

Something that is so important for me, yet something my siblings and mom don't even consider. 

Since that morning, I have experienced a renewed urgency in praying for my family - 

for Dad
for Mom
for Jake 
for Matthew
for Celia
for Madison
for Rory
for Blakely
for Teagan

That they would open their hearts to Christ and begin a/deepen in relationship with Him!

This week, I have been at the cabin in Blue Ridge. Per usual, there was a new book on the coffee table from a local author (they gotta stick together ya know!) As I flipped through it, I noticed the author had signed it! 

"Teagan + Blake - You can pray about everything!"

Something oh so small, yet who knows how God will use that small statement one day!

This morning, Dad and I attended church at Epworth Methodist, along with only 20 other people in the congregation. Before the service began, the pastor, Edward, walked up and hugged my Dad, handing him a Christmas card and stated, "Finally! I've been looking for you! You were my last card to give out!"

After receiving an introduction, I found out that Edward had come over to the cabin and played ping pong with my Dad and then they went to lunch! 

Something oh so small, yet who knows how God will use small gestures!

For me, family can be very challenging when it comes to talking about my faith - a sense of judgment or misunderstanding or arguments. While I never want to use it as an excuse, these days, one of my main prayers has been for people to show up in my families lives! That they would speak life into my family, with no agenda other than to share the deep love of knowing and following Jesus Christ!

The author who signed the book. 

The pastor at the church. 

Who knows what God has in store!!! For He uses His people in powerful ways!

Every testimony starts with someone showing up and sharing the gospel in some form or fashion!

For me, thank goodness the Kinnebrews did just that back when I was in high school!

So may we be quick to share with others! May we do our part in loving those who do not have a relationship with Jesus and boldly proclaiming the goodness and truth of who He is!

For who knows, it could be a "Maier" family member placed in your path, who someone has been praying for just that to happen!

In Craig Groeschel's book, Think Ahead, he wrote: "In 2021, Lifeway Research published the result of a survey of two thousand unchurched Americans; it reported that only 29 percent (three in ten) have ever had a Christian share their faith with them. But 79 percent of those interviewed said they don't mind their friends talking about faith, and 47 percent would be open to the conversation."

Let's talk about it! People are more willing to listen and interested in hearing than we think!

May 2025 be one of loving those around us and exemplifying unreasonable hospitality and generosity!

And we pray for the Cashes as they move to Ireland! Fully trusting that God has big plans for their family there! What a beautiful life they live of pointing others to Christ, even across the ocean!