What’s your response?

No matter who crosses our path or what situation we find ourselves in, the only factor completely in our control is our response.  What’s your response?  Does it depend on how your morning routine unraveled?  Whether someone just chewed you out?  A mistake in your order at the local diner?  Or maybe a recent argument with a friend or family member?  What circumstances are we allowing to affect our responses to future Christians?

Through AWARE Evangelism, I am learning how to always notice, watch, and ask God to show me how to connect.  As each week unfolds, the questions seem to grow in my mind.  And not questions that leave me frustrated or confused, but questions that are opening my heart to God’s unique plan for my life each and every day.  Questions that are allowing God to stretch me and use me.  Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

How am I showing love to others?  May all of our responses reflect the love of Jesus Christ.

Consciously

AWARE is a healthy reminder to be consciously thinking about people and their needs.  I get so busy, I normally do not take the time to consciously pray for people I come in contact with in normal everyday occurrences.  AWARE has helped me make an effort to see people as “Jesus moments.”

Scott Wright, Chief Financial Officer of Stonecroft Ministries

What does “connecting” mean?

One definition from Webster’s for “connect” caught my eye: to have or establish a rapport. Now some of us are outgoing and starting up a conversation is right down our alley.  But if you are like me, the minute I consider speaking about my faith, my mouth starts fumbling the simplest sentences, my hands get clammy, and my brain freezes.  But AWARE breaks things down into simpler steps.

The first week you spend time opening your eyes to your surroundings.  Who do I notice today?  The second week you not only notice but you also watch those that God has cross your path.  What do I see and hear?  Now week three: What can I do to connect with others in everyday and practical ways?

I was walking into Wal-Mart this weekend and was behind an older couple with their young granddaughter tottering in between them—clinching both of their hands.  They noticed my slowed pace and apologized for the hold up.  I quickly responded with how cute she was.  “About 12 months old?” I asked.  “Yes,” they smiled.  “My niece just learned to walk also!” I grinned back.  And on we went to our shopping.

But for one brief moment I had found a connection.  I had my eyes open, my heart open, and now my mouth open.  Connecting is a challenge but there is no greater call on our life than to share God’s work in our lives while being AWARE.

A different kind of note

Some of us write notes for everything—pick up Sammy after practice, buy milk, drop by the graduation open house, don’t forget to feed the neighbor’s cat.  But what about a different kind of note?  A note that has the potential to impact one person’s life for eternity. Do you ever stop and write those?

There might be someone who doesn’t know Jesus Christ at the boring sales presentation tonight.

Don’t forget your weekly lunch at the local pizza place where the waitress has your name and order memorized.

Have you gone out of your way to talk to someone today?

Every single person you brush shoulders with is a potential conversation.  Maybe we should start writing some different kind of notes…

From Autopilot to AWARE

How many of you walk through your daily routine with your brain preoccupied with something else?  You might go through the bank drive-up, buy groceries for your family, drop off some library books, get gas, and rent a movie without ever noticing the people that you walked by and maybe even talked to.  It’s so easy to put your body on autopilot while your brain is making your next big “to-do list”.  As a small group of Stonecroft home office staff embark on their AWARE journey, I’ll be checking in to share my insights.  Can’t wait to hear from you too!

-Marsha

Share Your AWARE Experience!

Welcome to the new Stonecroft AWARE Evangelism Blog.

This is a place for you to share how AWARE is touching your life and how God is moving in your small group. Connect here with others from around the world and share your story!

For more information about AWARE visit www.stonecroft.org/AWARE