Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV — “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Several years ago my word of the year was hospitality. I decided to also focus on decluttering and organizing my house so that I could more confidently practice hospitality. I subscribed to a daily email with pointers on decluttering. For the first week of January the overall focus was the kitchen with daily goals that focused on different areas of the kitchen. On one particular day the focus was under the sink area. Needless to say, that area for me is a catch-all area for miscellaneous items. Initially I read the article but really didn’t make an effort to work on it right then. As I went about my morning I decided to work on the decluttering challenge from the previous day which was to organize and streamline the area around the sink and counter. As part of that I decided to move a basket to the under the sink area because it contained items I don’t use daily. As I began moving some items under the sink I discovered that they were soaking wet. My initial response was to panic and to get upset because I had apparently discovered a problem. Thankfully God gave me a sense of peace as I investigated the source of the water. I found that the water was actually dripping from the garbage disposal. After texting my husband for information he advised I just not use that side of the sink for now. Meanwhile I had a mess with all of the under the sink clutter pulled out on the floor around me. Again my initial response was to become aggravated and frustrated and again God changed my outlook and helped me realize this was an opportunity to jump in with both feet with decluttering under the sink as I had just read in the email I received that morning. See how quickly God changed my perspective on a once perceived disaster?

Be aware of interruptions today. Is God saving you from a larger problem? Take time to look for God’s blessings in the interruption.Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for interruptions that prevent a bigger problem. Help me to take time to look for Your blessings within interruptions. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

We often perceive an interruption as a nuisance or aggravation. Perhaps we should seize the moment and allow interruptions to affect us in a positive way. Perhaps we should allow the once perceived aggravation of an interruption to be an opportunity for us to affect others in a positive way. Let’s pause and read an example of Jesus responding to an interruption. Click here to read Matthew 14:13-21 NIV.

How did Jesus respond to an interruption to His day? How do you respond to interruptions? Do you use interruptions to positively affect you or others? Do you need to change your mindset towards interruptions?

Let’s pray. Dear God, Help me to respond in a positive way to interruptions. Allow me to use interruptions to positively affect others as Jesus would. Mold my mindset. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Romans 8:28 NIV — And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Merriam-Webster defines interrupt as to stop or hinder by breaking in. Let’s face it, we do not like to be interrupted. Whether we are working, reading, relaxing, on the go, etc., we do not like for our current path to be changed or interrupted. Today, allow your interruptions to be a time to standstill and worship God. This week, let’s be aware of times our schedule is interrupted and be open to ways God is using the interruption to work for our good.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Open my eyes to Your interruptions. May I see Your interruptions as an opportunity to standstill and worship You. May I trust that You are working all things out for my good. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭NIV‬ — Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:

Join us as we have a chat together to finish up our week on friends. Click here to watch today’s See You Saturday post.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a NIV — Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.

Today I have two challenges for you. First, reach out in a different and special way to your friends. Make a phone call or send a text letting them know how much your friendship means to you and how much you value them. If you want to be very daring, actually write and mail a note. Take the time and attention to show appreciation to your Earthly friends.

Secondly, I challenge you to reach out in a different and special way to Jesus. Do something different than your normal routine to show appreciation for your friendship with Him. Perhaps, light a candle and speak out loud to Him. Another idea is to choose a special item to represent your friendship with Him and place it in a prominent place or in your line of vision. Each time you glance at the object, whisper a prayer of thanksgiving for His friendship. Whatever you choose to do, be sure to let Jesus know how much you value Him.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for sending Him to be my friend. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV — As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

As I have been thinking this week about my various friends and friendships I realize there is one thing they all have in common: I have a connection with all of them. Connection is the lifeline of friendship. Some synonyms for connection include relationship, kinship, affinity, and linkage. Think about how those words relate to your friendships. My relationships are strengthened through being intentional about daily connections such as spending time together, having conversations, phone calls, or texts. My friends and I encourage and challenge one another. How do you foster your relationships?

Now think about your friendship with Jesus? What do you do to strengthen your relationship with Him? How do you stay connected with Him? Do you have a daily time to sit at the feet of Jesus to pray and study His word? If not, I encourage you to make that a priority in growing your friendship with Him.

Let’s pray. Dear God, Help me to be intentional about connecting with my friends and especially with Jesus Christ. Help me to cultivate connections. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Matthew 19:26 NIV — Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Has this week been difficult for you as we have been talking about friends and friendship? Are you someone who doesn’t have many friends nearby? Are you lonely and searching for friendships? The best way to make friends is to be a friend. Making friends requires stepping out of your comfort zone and allowing yourself to be vulnerable. To make friends, find ways you can get involved outside of your home. Perhaps you can volunteer with a community organization. Brainstorm ways to get involved with activities at your church.

When tackling a difficult task, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just the first step.” Making friends requires stepping out of the boat and walking on water. It may be hard, but you can do it!

Let’s pray. Dear God, Help me to take the first step in faith and trust that You will reveal the rest of the stairs as I need them. Help me to step out of my comfort zone to meet others and be a friend. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.