Since moving back to Fort Worth, I have been able to connect back with a few friends that I was not able to keep up with in through college. The Lord has really shown Himself faithful through these random encounters and revitalized relationships. It has been really fun to see Him work.
Now this 30 x 30 goal was one that I wondered about... not in a negative respect - "Oh it will never happen" - but more asking God to show Himself and let me come along side Him in a life that He was moving. I just didn't know who that was going to be as most of the people that I have been associating with already have a personal relationship with Jesus.
I have been able to reconnect with my life long friend Courtney. We have known each other since we were basically toddlers. I could post some very embarrassing photos of the two of us when we didn't have a care in the world. We went to the same schools and continued to be friends even though our friends and hobbies took us in different directions. We did church events together, had slumber parties and grew into young women.
I will admit that I did not do the best job at staying in touch with Courtney once I went off to college... we went our separate ways but still said "Hi" every once in a while. It wasn't until I moved back to Fort Worth that I really tired to grow the friendship again... calling her up, getting dinner together and talking about life. I knew with the history that we had I could be a lot more upfront and forward with my questions and the things we talked about... not that it was easy, I just knew she would receive it better than some.
Over the course of, lets say, a year and a half I asked and we talked here and there. I could tell that the Holy Spirit was really moving her and starting to shift her values and perspectives on life. I was praying that the Holy Spirit would urge her to come to church or a bible study with me, something for her to see what it is that was missing... and in the fall of 2015 she was finally at a place where it made sense to say "Yes."
I will never forget the Sunday in between services at our church when she pulled me aside and told me the most amazing news... She had asked for God's forgiveness for her sins and for Him to be Lord over her life. I was shocked and thrilled... I didn't know what to say and I cried. I was so happy for her! To finally see her make that decision and realize what she had been missing was amazing and such a great experience to be a part of.
I am so thankful that the Lord let me be involved in Courtney's life and to help her along the way, but I in no way take the credit for what the Holy Spirit did in her life. He is the one who changes lives, He lets us come along side what He is already doing and play a role. He doesn't need us but He allows us to be a part of the work He is doing and made a difference for His kingdom. That is what I got to do through my relationship with Courtney.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plans nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
Now this 30 x 30 goal was one that I wondered about... not in a negative respect - "Oh it will never happen" - but more asking God to show Himself and let me come along side Him in a life that He was moving. I just didn't know who that was going to be as most of the people that I have been associating with already have a personal relationship with Jesus.
I have been able to reconnect with my life long friend Courtney. We have known each other since we were basically toddlers. I could post some very embarrassing photos of the two of us when we didn't have a care in the world. We went to the same schools and continued to be friends even though our friends and hobbies took us in different directions. We did church events together, had slumber parties and grew into young women.
I will admit that I did not do the best job at staying in touch with Courtney once I went off to college... we went our separate ways but still said "Hi" every once in a while. It wasn't until I moved back to Fort Worth that I really tired to grow the friendship again... calling her up, getting dinner together and talking about life. I knew with the history that we had I could be a lot more upfront and forward with my questions and the things we talked about... not that it was easy, I just knew she would receive it better than some.
Over the course of, lets say, a year and a half I asked and we talked here and there. I could tell that the Holy Spirit was really moving her and starting to shift her values and perspectives on life. I was praying that the Holy Spirit would urge her to come to church or a bible study with me, something for her to see what it is that was missing... and in the fall of 2015 she was finally at a place where it made sense to say "Yes."
I will never forget the Sunday in between services at our church when she pulled me aside and told me the most amazing news... She had asked for God's forgiveness for her sins and for Him to be Lord over her life. I was shocked and thrilled... I didn't know what to say and I cried. I was so happy for her! To finally see her make that decision and realize what she had been missing was amazing and such a great experience to be a part of.
I am so thankful that the Lord let me be involved in Courtney's life and to help her along the way, but I in no way take the credit for what the Holy Spirit did in her life. He is the one who changes lives, He lets us come along side what He is already doing and play a role. He doesn't need us but He allows us to be a part of the work He is doing and made a difference for His kingdom. That is what I got to do through my relationship with Courtney.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plans nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow."
1 Corinthians 3:6-7
