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…