An Old Friend

I just hung up from a great conversation with an old friend. We hadn't talked in about 2+ years on the phone, but you would have thought it was only a week since we chatted last. It was so good to hear how God is working in his life, and to be able to mutually encourage each other in the Lord.  His story got me thinking of how God works in our life. It's such a mystery actually. Every person is different and many times we are not at all where we thought we'd be. Like right now, I'm married and working a full-time ministry job in America, while my Sista Friend is in Mozambique working for the Lord in her singleness. If you would have told me this 3 years ago, I would have told you that you flipped the table. I would be the one in Africa!!! But that's not how God worked it out. In many ways I feel like I was made to be a wife because I enjoy it so much. There is literally nothing apart from Christ that gives me greater joy than being David's wife. Truly, there is a time (and reason) for everything, as the writer of Ecc. states..

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace. (Ecc 3:1-8)

I'm so glad that God holds our lives in His hands, that He knows all that happening around us even when we don't. There's something so comforting in that if we allow it to bring us comfort. The times that I've grabbed for control or have become impatient are the times that I've messed up, missed Gods best- or both.

3 
Coffee Questions: So what time do we find ourselves in right now? Maybe you can spot some "times" you are in, with the list above. How do we glorify God in the season He has us in- whether we are enjoying it or not? Someone once said: the only thing you can count on in life is change. What do you think about that?

Cream and Sugar, Please!

One of my favorite "simple pleasures" is a good, bold cup of coffee. When we have people over, I almost always have a pot going, or ready to brew. The aroma of the coffee reminds me of good conversations, times at home with the sun coming in the windows and times of peaceful, quiet rest. It also reminds me of times with God. Whenever I'm reading my Bible I usually have something hot to drink, and if it's morning time that drink is coffee. When I recall my college memories, most of the best ones were shared over coffee- laughing till the tears flow and my side aches.
It's just a downright good drink for any occasion!
Since I've accumulated so many good memories and conversations over coffee, I thought the name of this blog was perfect. Some conversations are good, but hard and those have been shared over coffee as well. Through this blog I hope to create an environment of challenge, rest, contemplation and lots of encouragement. This life goes by so quickly! So slow down, put a pot on and enjoy- but don't forget to add to the conversation too!