I just love this pic – all these different animals coming together in peace and comradery to draw folks (including me!) to an unexpected petting zoo in the parking lot of a large urban hotel. My fave was the spotted piggy you can’t see in this photo – her name was Elvira and she adored me. She didn’t really say as much, but I could see it in her little piggy eyes. I wanted to bring her home but alas, she wouldn’t fit in my luggage.
Overtly, all these animals were very different than one another, various sizes and shapes, they ate different foods, made different sounds, and probably weren’t of the same political party, yet they got along just fine to serve their master in accomplishing a common goal: Support our farm!
Some had horns, some had hooves, some nibbled hay, some scarfed fruit, some ate tin cans (those silly goats will eat anything), but they all cooperated to accomplish one purpose.
Oh that we humans could cooperate so well in important aspects of serving our Master.
This week’s post is a follow-up to my previous account of the recent national writers and speakers conference I attended in St. Louis. It’s basically an affirmation that we human beings – especially us women – need to gather together regularly with gospel-goaled BFFs (Blessed Friends Forever), to keep our fires burning and horses saddled.
We need something outside of ourselves to motivate us to keep on keeping on with our assignment from Papa God, whatever that may be. Even if our approaches differ. Especially if our approaches differ.
I greatly enjoyed the lovely 4 days with other writers/speakers who, like myself, have felt a calling from Papa God to share His good news via the written and/or spoken word. (It’s called AWSA: Advanced Writers & Speakers Association.) We’re all different – we look different; think differently; pray in various volumes, languages, vernaculars, and postures; behave differently; prefer different Bible translations; use diverse speaking styles; and write to overtly different audiences, but we all have the same pressing desire beneath it all … to expand our heavenly Father’s kingdom.
I was totally inspired by the old friends I caught up news with, the new friends whom I will now joyfully add to my writerly network, and the speakers I was inspired by who shared their real life stories of glorious success, epic failures, and most importantly of all, how they persevered despite all the barricades the enemy raised in their personal writing journeys.
When your spirit is boosted by others whom you respect and admire, you feel completely blessed, uplifted, and motivated to persevere yourself. You’re positive beyond a shadow of a doubt that you really CAN do all things through Christ who gives you strength (Phil 4:13).
So I want to encourage you, dearest BFF, to make a priority of gathering together with other Christian people, whether it’s a Bible study, neighborhood coffee clutch, work-related group, or roller derby club (good luck with that!), overlook your differences and focus on your shared goals – to spread a little Jesus-joy to the world around you.
Whether you’re a lamb, a calf, a mule, or a cute lil’ piggy in Papa God’s kingdom, I have a feeling you’ll be overflowing with gratitude that you did!
Tell me, dearest BFF, what’s one blessing you’ve received with thanksgiving from Papa God this month?