How's everyone's week going? I certainly appreciated the beautiful weather yesterday. It was nice to get out for a walk along our country road. Also spied the first crocus blooming in my garden. I love the little encouragement God places in our lives, even through flowers!

If you were at church Sunday or read the Wapato Weekly yesterday, you'll already know that the Valentine's event that was slated for February 13th has been cancelled. There are a lot of pieces that go into making this a fun, successful event, and this year they just weren't falling into place. This might give you a good opportunity just to get together for dinner with another couple or family. Or perhaps your Life Group would like to spend the evening together playing games. Or ...

I hope you can join us at one of our weekly Bible studies for women. The Perk gathers at 9:30 on Thursday mornings, and is over at 11. Child care is available. This week Jaimie is bringing a goodie for us to enjoy along with our coffee/tea. Thursday evening at 6:30 Common Grounds meets for the same lesson I will have taught in the morning. Shana is bringing something for us to snack on during that. We are working our way through the book of Colossians, and this week we'll be in Col. 2:16-19. Just bring a Bible and a notebook (if you like to take notes) and enjoy a good time together. These Bible studies always have a lot of laughter, sometimes a few tears, and application to real life.

On the first Sunday of February, registration will open for our annual women's retreat in Lincoln City. Cost is $90 for your accommodations at our beautiful house there, plus your meal on Friday night, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and breakfast on Sunday. The dates are April 8-10th. Our theme this year is Who's Your Daddy? with our guest speaker, Joy Roberts, from Lake Oswego. Over the last couple weeks I've been including a picture of the house. Here's the link so you can check it all out for yourself:
https://www.vrbo.com/309670. If you haven't stayed there with us before, make sure to check it out, as it's unlike any retreat house you've ever been to in the past!

Speaking of Joy Roberts, I wanted to share her recent blog with you, just to give you a taste of what we have to look forward to. Joy is part of the team of three ladies, including past retreat speaker Laurie Sheffield, who constitute the group of speakers called For the Joy of It!

I Almost Missed It

I almost missed a HUGE opportunity today!

I made it out for a quick run this morning with my sweet little dog Brandy. When I was headed back, on the homestretch, just a half-mile from my house, I saw a woman. I noticed her because she had two walking sticks and was soooo slooooooooooow.

I watched her for a bit thinking…that’s going to be me someday. I’m going to get really old and really slow and someday a half-mile will feel like a half-marathon.

BTW…She was not particularly old looking. But she was literally at least double my age and I’m not exactly young anymore. So really…She’s AMAZING. I want to be her when I grow up! Hello…she was out for a walk wearing cute hiking boots AND red lipstick. She looked good!

I’m all about building women up…right! Our mission at Joy of It is to UNITE, BUILD and encourage women to LIVE life for the joy of it.

So just before I zipped passed her I exuberantly said “HI” really loud (in case she could not hear). I scared her half to death! She literally almost tipped over. I slowed down long enough to make sure she was ok. That’s when I noticed she clearly was recovering from a stroke and when she said something about my adorable dog.

And then I was off like the elite runner I AM NOT. Of course my conscience screamed at me to PLEASE STOP. I argued with myself…reminding myself of all the important stuff I have to do to UNITE, BUILD and encourage women to LIVE for the joy of it. Oh brother…the irony…right! I finally did stop.

I ran back and introduced myself to my neighbor named B. We talked about my dog. She choked up when she told me her little dog died a few weeks ago. B asked about my kids. I asked her about her life. We sweetly patted each other on the back like old friends would. Then she took off at her snail’s pace and I slowly headed home realizing I almost missed a huge opportunity.

People mattered most to Jesus and people should matter most to me.

If my life and ministry don’t collide then I have a problem with my priorities. When I’m 90, out with walking sticks, recovering from a stroke …I hope some “young” chick in her mid-40s stops when she sees me. When my dog and many of the people I love have died…I need you to stop. Please don’t look past me or run past me or pretend you don’t see me. I need you. You actually need me too. We need each other.

I’m reminded today, God has uniquely positioned each one of us to love others. He has put each of us in the places and spaces and communities where we can invest in the lives of others in big and small ways. I don’t want to miss opportunities that are right in front of me! And I don’t want you to miss them either.

“We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph 2:10).

Don’t walk or run past people. Embrace the opportunities you have to make people a priority exactly where you are at. We are His workmanship created for good works right where we are today.

So go do good work…we were made for it!

BTW…I’d love your input! What keeps you from slowing down and making people a priority? We will be covering this topic on one of our radio shows so thanks for sharing your thoughts!

Thanks for reading!

Join me, Laurie and Julie Thursday afternoons at 2:30pm on 93.9 KPDQ and Sunday mornings at 11:30am on True Talk 800. Each week we explore God’s Word and discuss practical ways we can live for the joy of it in our homes, relationships and community.

Can’t join us live? Go to joyofit.org for the podcast or subscribe on iTunes.

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