(in)courage

So I've been reading some friends' blogs this evening and it got me thinking about how much I miss talking to friends about faith. I was the happiest in my life when I was going to church regularly, surrounding myself with good friends who shared my moral values and we talked daily about how God was working in our lives. I LOVED it. Since graduating college, I haven't really had that. I was reading some great blog posts today and it gave me that excitement or that need for change in my heart tonight. I realized that I need to start changing my habits in many ways.
I love this quote: If you want friends you have to spend time with people you don’t know, in order to get to know them so that they can be your friends. They also wrote about how sometimes all it takes to make time for friends is to say Yes. I never say yes to something I really don’t want to do but, I won’t say “no” just because it’s uncomfortable for me. Especially if I’m in a season of needing to make friends. Even though I’m an introvert, I still love people, I just hate the small talk it can sometimes take that leads to the big talk that leads to real friendship.

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I really want to work on making myself a better person... and I think the root of all that begins with my relationship with God. I feel if I work on that.... all the other areas in my life will improve too. Now I need to find a good daily devotional study to get me started. That will be my goal this week since I left my bible at home. I also read somewhere that it's good to schedule a time in the day that I plan to devote my time to God and pick a spot in my house to spend that time. I need to keep all my "tools" there, including my bible, journal, pen/pencil and of course my devotional plan. I'm thinking a good place would be in my office if I had a big comfy chair in there... but for now I'll plan on my living room! I'm also going to start going back to church and making that a priority b/c when I do go... I not only will be uplifted and challenged for the week, but also give me a chance go worship, meet new people and get involved.

God, help me stick to this plan and help me grow as a believer and help me do thy will each day. I pray that you give me the opportunity to develop new friendships with fellow believers and encourage them and others as well. I thank you for all you have blessed me with in life and continue to show me and teach me never to take things for granted. I pray that you protect my friends and family from harm and show them they are loved by you daily. I pray for my students and their families and that they are provided with warm beds, food in their bellies and surrounded with love daily as well. Help me to do thy will and show your love in all things that I do. Amen.