I love the different ways God speaks to us. I wanted to share encouragement with you as you look to a new year and evaluate boundaries and evaluate how you spend your time, and with who! This morning God gave a Message inside of a message. My friend did a Facebook Live sharing a bit of her testimony while there was literal construction happening in the background. She calmly sat on her couch sipping the hot cup of coffee, puppies snuggled up next to her, daughter nearby and sharing a little testimony time.
The banging of hammers was pretty obvious in the beginning of the video and slowly muted out, then returned full sound at the end. (If He can hold back the seas, He certainly can hold back some hammers, right?!?!)
I am the type of person who really connects better when I am Live, whether online or in person. I am an empath for sure, but also deeply heart rooted, so in the moment learning, giving receiving, being and doing are much more rich for me in all the different ways. She's special to me and I really enjoy her Lives so I have a Weekday Coffee with Martha alarm, amongst all the other thousand alarms on my cell to keep me focused throughout the day.
So, this morning, I was Live for the video and loved it, of course! Always do. She's an amazing connector, even through video! It's an anointing for sure, plus, she has put in the time over the years to be really great too! When the video ended, I did some house things, then God redirected me back for the replay. I don't usually rewatch unless I somehow missed a portion of it. So this was different. I was a little distracted doing Mom things for my guy as he was heading out the door for school, but I heard everything she said.
I sat down with my re-heated coffee and listened in. I begin to get the feeling I had missed something. I could feel God leading me to a deep "paying attention."
I leaned in and realized it wasn’t to hear her, it was to hear Him…
God had a Message for me within her message. Here's what He impressed upon me as the video wrapped up…
Look at the scene...see how she’s right there on the couch, sipping coffee & sharing encouragement and her testimony while all the construction work is happening behind her, around her?!?
That is what it’s like with Me too. I’m The One doing the work in the background.
Friend, its not US doing the restoration work…we are not chisling and repairing broken pieces…
It is not US tearing down or rebuilding walls, or restoring rooms…
GOD IS!
HE is doing the work!!
And guess what....We can STILL DO THE THINGS in the “construction zone.”
The enemy would like us to think otherwise. That's how he keeps us "shut down."
We are ALWAYS “under construction”… being sanctified (made new) by grace, being stirred up, cleansed, restored.
God’s part is the construction. 
Our part is the seeking & surrender.“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 ESV
She shares in the video (click here to watch) the importance of having people in your circle who you ALLOW to speak life over you. I love love love doing this for others. It's not about flattering someone or trying to boost their ego or make them feel better on a down day. It's to be used by God in stirring one another up, for the purpose of His glory and our good. For me, I love sharing God's hearts with others that they may know they are loved, seen & heard by God, that He is near, therefore take courage and keep the faith!!!
Encouragers need Encouragers too. I am sooooo thankful she is one of mine! I am grateful for friends like Martha who lead by example and don't just talk the talk! This is what Titus 2 looks like....we keep showing up as we are, with the message God gives us, and we share it with others knowing HE brings HIS Words, through us, to the hearts of the others.
Sister,
We ALL have the choice to show up while “under construction.” Seek HIM first, trust HIS working and ALLOW yourself to surrender to His building work around you and His refining work through you. He's Got You!!!
All the Love under construction,
Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
In life, we are not called to be passive recipients of friendship, but actively engaged with each other in meaningful relationships. We were created for community living. No, it doesn't mean you're out here looking for a whole herd of new friends....all the Introverts can breathe again! I know!!! I am one. We don't need a whole bunch of people in the inner circle of our hearts...but we need some, where 2 or 3 are gathered, including Jesus. So, at least one human!
I believe isolation is a trap of the enemy. We were created as parts of a whole...we need community. Within that community, there will be heart-shaped circles. There can be circles of interest and circles of trust.
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." God invites us to explore the transformative potential of authentic Christian friendships. Imagine two swords being sharpened against each other. The process isn't always smooth or comfortable, but it's necessary for both to become more effective. We glean from rubbing up against one another, edifying the heart, mind and soul of the person in order to grow, allowing God to chisel, refine, love the other, with His love, through us as His trusted instrument. Cuz really, we are not growing to grow our own Kingdom...we are going to grow His Kingdom come!
Let's talk How To Create circles....
Wisdom and discernment are two ways we create healthy boundaries for circles to be created, and properly cared for.
Circles of interest:
Things we have in common, such a Mom Life, Work or Ministry Life, Hobbies, Community Groups, etc. These circles can be any size.
Circles of trust:
Over the years, wisdom helped me create and cultivate inner circles for trust...the deeper the trust, the closer into the deeper part of my heart they could enter in to where the space is smaller, smaller because it needs greater care, energy, vulnerability, and trust.
How many?!?
There's not an approved number of how many people can be in our closest space. I believe everyone will be different and every season will be different. Ultimately, it is the Lord who brings hearts together, so He will lead us to those Divinely led relationships in His timing, according to His perfect will for them, nd for us.
Real Christian friendships involve mutual growth. It is not selfish or self-seeking.So, how do we nurture these iron-sharpening friendships?
- Cultivate Vulnerability: Open your heart to trusted friends. Share your struggles, doubts, and victories. This vulnerability creates space for genuine connection and growth.
- Practice Active Listening: Really hear your friends. Listen not just to respond, but to understand. This deepens empathy and strengthens bonds.
- Offer Graceful Truth: When you see a friend straying from God's path, speak truth in love. It might be uncomfortable, but it's an act of genuine care.
- Encourage Spiritual Disciplines: Pray together, study Scripture together, serve together. These shared experiences deepen your friendship and your faith.
- Celebrate Growth: Rejoice in each other's spiritual victories, no matter how small. This fosters a positive environment for continued growth.
- Extend Grace: Remember, we're all works in progress. Be quick to forgive and slow to judge.
- Commit to Consistency: Deep friendships aren't built overnight. Regular, intentional time together is crucial.
Remember, the goal isn't perfection, but progress. As you sharpen each other, as His Instruments, you both become more effective tools in God's hands. It's also important to recognize that different friendships may serve different purposes in our lives. Some friends might challenge us intellectually, others emotionally or spiritually. Every person is an appointment in our life and the assignment will become clearer the more you walk together.
As you navigate these friendships, it goes without saying, keep Christ at the center. He is the One who allowed them for such a time as this. He is the ultimate example of a perfect friend – loving unconditionally, speaking truth in love, gentle, kind, hope-filled, faithful, guarding, self-controlled, wise and intentional. This is the kind of friend I want to be too. I am not perfect, no one is, but in prayer nd petition and ll the grace in the world, we are invited to create heart shaped circles in our life!
In cultivating these iron-sharpening, heart-softening friendships, we not only enrich our own lives but also strengthen the body of Christ. As we grow together, we shine God's light in the world around us s one of His Lights to lead and show The Way.
Let's pray: Lord, thank you for the gift of friendship nd ultimately, Yours. Lord, we seek Sisters to do life with. Help us to be friends who sharpen and encourage one another in faith. Guide our words and actions to reflect Your love. May we be a sweet aroma to You as we stir one another's heats in Your Name. Because of Your Sweetest of Love, Amen.
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
