Around the Table

  Is social anxiety a real thing?

 Have you ever been invited to a party and you really wanted to go but you did not know if you would feel out of place? I never realized that social anxiety was a thing. Perhaps that is why as a child and throughout my young adult life I felt so awkward in social situations. It is funny how we tend to look back at our life's and see truths we could not see when we were in them. Today, I find myself looking back, seeing the reality of missed opportunities because I was uncomfortable in large groups of people. Anxiety for me was a fear, a fear of the unknown. When I needed to go to a social event where I would not know people or know them well, I would worry about what I looked like or if I had on the correct outfit. There would be that heart wrenching thought, "what if nobody talked to me" and if they did, "what do I say?"

 God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

 One day I realized I was missing life and began putting myself out into the world. That is not to say there were not times that I was afraid or a little shaky. When I finally opened my front door and started looking out into this beautiful world I realized that I really enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know them. All I had to do was take a step into the unknown. Yes, sometimes it was scary to go to a new place or meet new people, but it has always been worth it. By experiencing people and new situations we grow in knowledge and compassion. We learn that we are all very different yet, in many ways we are the same.

 Last night Jay and I were invited to a friends house to celebrate our wonderful friend Julie's retirement from teaching. I had never been to the host and hostess's home before nor was I sure who would be at the party. In the past this would have been very scary and difficult for me. However, last night was not.

 When we arrived to the party we were welcomed at the door by the host who lead us into his beautiful home where the honored guest stood with smiles receiving hugs and congratulations. As each guest arrived I realized that the host and hostess greeted each person as if they were the honored guest. Which made all of us feel very comfortable and welcome.

  As I looked around the room guest were beginning to gather in circles or in one on one conversations. I had just finished a conversation myself when I realized I was standing alone. In the past this would have totally freaked me out. Tonight, I just looked around to see what else was going on. Our host was giving a tour of his home. Yay! I walked right over and joined in on the tour. Nobody looked at me funny (which would have been a past fear) they just said, "Hey, do you want to go on the tour?" In reality most people are not looking at you or even thinking about you. More times than not they are in their own heads thinking their own thoughts.

 Hors d'oeuvres were passed around as we all sipped our drinks and mingled. I found myself talking with ladies I did not know very well. As we talked my heart began to soften, open, as if a gift was being given. These women were sharing their life experiences with me. Their openness made me feel honored and loved.

  As I stood among a group of ladies listening intently, our host and hostess announced that dinner was about to be served. One of the ladies set her drink down on a table and said, "This looks like a good table, lets sit here." For some reason I ended up back at the table first. So, there I was alone. For a brief moment I felt uncomfortable until my new friend came around the corner. Relieved I said, "Oh good, you're here! I was beginning to feel a little awkward at this big table all by myself." As she sat down we both laughed. Perhaps she too had felt awkward in a similar situation at one time. Maybe, by verbalizing my thoughts I opened a door.

 It was not to long and the table was full. Four women began sharing their lives. Each sharing something different yet, important to them. They were sharing things like how they met their husbands, what it was like to lose a husband and things they enjoy doing. Next thing we knew, four more women pulled up chairs and joined the circle. The conversation just got better and better as each lady seemed to enjoy the depth and openness of each word spoken. There was no gossip or criticizing. We were a group of women sharing our life experiences with one another.

 Time flew by and before we knew it, it was time for Julie to open her gifts and cut the cake. All the men gathered around the table behind their wives as we congratulated our dear friend for her years of dedication to teaching.

 What if I had let my past fears take over? There would have been no connections, no lessons learned,  no supporting a special friend, no meeting new friends or building relationships. I would have missed out on a lovely celebration and a wonderful evening. How grateful I am that my past fears are no longer holding me. If I could impart in you a small bit of encouragement on the subject of social anxiety it would be these few things. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin knowing that you are beautiful and special in your own way. There is nobody on this earth just like you. Just so you know, that makes you amazing! You know what, people are just people. We are all just going through this life doing the best we can with the tools we have. In those times, when you feel uncomfortable or afraid in a social situation do it anyway. If you don't then you may miss out on something really special or a lot of fun.

  This party reinforced my love for multi-generational relationships. Women are amazing! There is always something we can learn from someone's experiences. Take the time to sit around a table and share your lives with one another. You will be giving a gift, a very important and special gift.

ginny Taylor

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 NIV

This is what I saw

Attending church on a Sunday morning just like each week before, standing in a row, one of many, in a room of hundreds. God spoke to me. It had been just a week or so but it seems to feel like an eternity when you just can't feel the presence of God. When you worship and fall to your knees in prayer yet you don't even hear a gentle whisper back. Then after seeking His face, He did not reveal His own. But rather, in a quick flash He says," This is what I saw" with a picture as clear in mind as if it was on my Instagram feed. Jude my first born, my son, with a sharp piercing crown of thorns set on top of his head. I was wrecked and a few tears slipped down my cheek.

Jesus was a man, he had flesh that bled, scared and ached. He was a friend, brother, son and a first born child. The suffering and death of Jesus has been depicted in movies and reenacted yearly by millions of churches. Sometimes these movies and plays can draw emotion or even a tear or two. But, it should wreck you just reading it in black and white. I admit, I have been desensitized to the gospel for years. Until my Heavenly Father made it real to me, that He put His son on that cross. The son he watched say his first word and cheered on as he took his first steps. The son he watched become a great teacher and friend. The son that wept when he saw his friends hurting and healed many others in pain. The son that prayed so anxiously in the garden that his sweat turned to blood. A good Father, set this in motion, for his first born son to die a gruesome, prolonged and painful death. Good Friday, good, holy, Friday. He was whipped 39 times with ropes adorned with lead and bone that would grab at his flesh ripping and bruising with every lash. Bound to a post and stripped of his clothing.

A dad sat and watched his little boy being tortured mercilessly to show you mercy, to show me mercy. A dad watched his first born son dripping in blood aching with every step carrying a cross to "the place of the skull". There a mother waited, watched and whaled as nails were driven into her little boys hands and feet. A mother and a Father looked upon there child's face, seeing him as the little boy whom they "lost" in Jerusalem, the carpenter, the teacher. A mother and Father looked upon their child's face as he said, "It is finished". See, with every blow of that whip, with every mock of the tongue, with every swing of the hammer, God wasn't just watching His Son, He was looking at us saying, you, you are worth it, this is how much I. LOVE. YOU.

"When his parents found him, they were amazed. His mother said, "Son why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been very worried, and we have been searching for you!" Jesus answered, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I would be at my Fathers house?""

Luke 2: 48-49 CEV

Sunday Inspiration

Sunday's Inspiration

Restoration

Restoration.
"Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."- Isaiah 43:19
Judah was called upon to forget she struggled to be a nation among nations (1 Sam. 8:5,20). God had a new destiny. A new thing, this people group where being built through the historical process of captivity and return.
I believe that God works in coincidences, maybe they aren't coincidences at all but that is what we so often call it when God moves. God is moving always and right now He is moving in restoration. We have a whole "fixer upper" movement, there are countless T.V. shows dedicated to restoration. There are stores, businesses and incomes that fully rely on restoration. 

God is the author of restoration and we crave it. As flesh here on earth we rely on restoration. We want to be made new and once we are, we long to see everyone else find that same beauty. The beauty of captivity and return, of lost to found, dirty to clean and thirsty to satisfied. We long to see the world and all who live in it as Christ sees us, his children. " Of David. A psalm. The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it." Psalm 24:1. God wants to do a new thing in us through restoration. 

(Before)

(After)

Is your paint chipped?

So often as women we have many insecurities about our appearances. We also tend to have some insecurities of our quirky personality traits. I know that I catch myself far to often worried about whether someone thought I was weird or not. I also catch myself staring into the mirror for a few extra minutes just to wrongfully judge myself, wondering if others see all the same flaws in me. I asked if you paint was chipped, is it? Is the way God created you holding you back? God gave you that nose and the snort sound it makes when you laugh too hard. Whatever the flaw is that you perceive in yourself, your perspective needs a new coat of paint.

Why is it so easy for us to paint a dresser and see it as a completely new piece of furniture but it can take us years to see ourselves differently? Sure there are many medical and psychological reasons, I do understand that. But, y'all, GOD MADE YOU. He doesn't make mistakes. The bible tells us how He see us and that is the only truth about ourselves. Others opinions and the way we see ourselves are muddled by our flesh. God says... I breathed into your nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). I created you in my own image (Genesis 1:27). My eyes saw your unformed substance (Psalm 139:16). I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13). I know the number of hairs on your head, and before a word is on your tongue I know it (Matthew 10:30; Psalm 139:4). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He, God, our Restorer knows and loves every inch of you. So, get out the paint brush of Gods word and start painting yourselves in a new perspective of who you truly are.

Do you have "good bones"?

"oh dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!: "surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord."" Ezekiel 37:4-6.

As Christians we have the foundation of  the restoration story. The confidence that we were once dead and now we are alive, our hope comes from the Lord. But, how sturdy are your bones? Will they become dry in the valley?

I was given a family heirloom, a bed, my Great grandmother (Isla), my grandfather, father, me and now my daughter have been tucked snuggly into it over generations. The story goes that it even arrived in Florida via covered wagon and as much as this bed has moved over its many years, I have seen it taken apart and put back together many times without falter. It has "good bones". 

The bones that are referred to in Ezekiel are dry, there are no muscles, no skin. The bones, the foundation of the body were lying in that valley becoming hopeless and thirsty. The bones were dry, yes, but there waiting, becoming dryer and dryer in the sun of that valley, waiting. I have been in that valley too many times to count, unfortunately, I let my bones become dry there. Sometimes I got to that valley through busyness, sometimes through health, even through worry and fear. But, the valley is no place for me, for you, for us. When we find ourselves in that valley, hopeless, thirsty, waiting for change. Our good bones of the foundation of our restoration story are waiting for our flesh to return. With power of the Spirit of the Lord listen to what He did in verse 7 " there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to bone, Indeed, as I looked the sinews and the flesh came upon them and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them." 
These bones were put together perfectly by God, therefor we can confidently know that they are "good bones". Often on our journey out of the valley we are just happy that our bones are back together, that our foundation was strong enough to be put back together and make it out.  However, "good bones" even covered by their flesh don't move.

The Heirloom bed, the bed that has been so special to my family for generations, the good bones aren't and never will be what makes the this piece of furniture so special. The breath of each child that prayed their goodnight prayers and woke up with hope of their future, that is what makes it so special and unique. "So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet". (vs. 14)

Stand up on your feet! You have the breath of God in you. When you are in the valley seasons of life stand up, be confident in your foundation, be confident that you have been restored, you have the good bones of the resurrection story. But, don't stop there, take a deep breath. Life is going to beat us up, it maybe doing it to you now. Let your dry bones come alive with the breath of your Savior. The valley is not for you and no place to live. I may have let health, busyness and fear take my hope, dry me up and leave me in the valley, but my Father tells me that He is my healer, my shepherd who guides me through the valley and I shall not fear. Now, move.

Sunday’s Inspiration