What do you think of my weeds!? They have grown much more since I took this photo.
It’s taken a week to tell you all all about my weekend, but we have almost made it! If messaging Ronda on Sunday wasn’t enough to fill me with hope, having a game of Words with Friends as I spent time with our buddy Chris was the icing on the cake. I refer to Chris as my “twin.” That close sibling connection clicked in quite early into our friendship. We always have each other’s backs.
He beat me at Words with Friends. He’s on a winning streak, but right now he has some heavy burdens, so it doesn’t feel as if he’s on a winning streak. We talked about this over Skype.
There is so much hope in the hardest things. (I really need to get this through my head. Yesterday I was really struggling again.)
It’s during these times that God draws us closer to Him. He also reveals Himself to us more. (I believed these words when I wrote this. Where is my faith?)
There is so much opportunity for growth during stormy seasons. We can literally grow like weeds in the rain. (I’m starting to feel like someone else wrote this.)
I didn’t plant anything this year. I just let the weeds grow, but they are growing so well! When I voiced this Chris laughed. I was so glad to hear him laugh. I’ve always hated to see Him hurting. When he hurts I hurt. It’s that “twin” connection.
The last time we talked I kept thinking I should pray with him, but I chickened out. Praying out loud isn’t easy for me. Even praying out loud with Andrew has been difficult, but I’m getting there. Nevertheless, when I didn’t pray with Chris I felt bad. I messaged him a day or so later and told him I was sorry. I should have prayed, but I was feeling really insecure. He messaged that if anyone understands insecurities it’s him.
By the end of our game and conversation I was gearing up to pray for this monkey. I told him that I wanted to do this. I also told him that it was a comfort zone issue that I felt was so silly. We talk all the time. How is praying for him out loud any different? He understood. He’s my “twin.” He voiced how hard it is to raise his hand for prayer at church.
There was no way that I was going to let Chris down! So after we chatted about it for a bit, I told him okay, I’m going to do this, and went ahead and prayed. It wasn’t half bad. Then came the words that made me feel so great: when Chris thanked me and told me how much it meant to him that I would walk through that fear for him.
Even though I’ve been going through a difficult season, myself, God’s grace is abounding and we will keep growing… maybe even like weeds!
“Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.”
Proverbs 17:17
“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:20-21
Pippi's Poetry 
Once again, I understand. I am not very gifted at getting much but weeds to grow. My oldest boy helps me with our hardy hibiscus so my yard looks like something. Praying out loud can be hard. I don’t do well with that either. I am much better with it in my head as I go about my day. I’m glad you persevered, though, and were able to pray with Chris. I will add him to my list.❤
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Thank you so much, Marisa. I appreciate that and I know Chris would too. ❤
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What a wonderful life story. I can see why those words lifted you so much.
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Yes, God is good. Grace abounds, weeds abound….. and friendship abounds.
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That’s a funny idea, to plant weeds in pots and just let them grow. But yeah, I also struggle with worshipping in church. I’m sure it’s probably not a big issues but it always seems difficult. Thanks for the words and the verses! I’ve been reconnecting to God and praying more often and I can feel that he’s working on me and others. If only the government actually did the right thing and wouldn’t lie directly to their worried country. I’m going to pray about that now.
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😂 I didn’t plant the weeds. They just grew there. I’m letting them grow. The greenery is nice. That’s good that you’ve been reconnecting to God and praying more often. Governments! Praying about the government is a really great plan, Gavin. 😊
Have a great weekend, stay safe and connected!
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Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding 😅
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No problem… it made me laugh. It was funny. 😃
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Your weeds look really beautiful…thet purify the air around….why not🤗😍🌱🌿 🎀☺😄🤗💐I can understand it is hard to pray out loud in front of someone else, no matter how close the relationship. 😊 ….Jesus loves you my friend ✝️🙏🏼🕊
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Thank you so much, Ruelha. Yes, I am enjoying my weeds. I don’t have to do any weeding! 😄 Jesus loves you too. ❤
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🎀😄☺😊🙏🏼✝️🕊😄☺😊🎀
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I am glad you finally prayed with your friend. I have a friend who prays with me whenever I tell about something bothering me. She would even set up a time for the prayer that would suit us both. But I have not been able to extend that to others. I often feel guilty of telling a person to “pray about it” instead of taking the first step to pray with them. Like you I hope I can finally step out of my comfort zone. 💕
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God is really good at giving those nudges. Sometimes it takes time before we go for it. He is patient. Thankfully! We’ll get there. When we aren’t feeling able we have to remember that He is able. ❤
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I do not have a green thumb, the only plants that flourish under my supervision are weeds 😁.
With regards to praying for others aloud, I can’t say I readily put my hand up for it but a few years ago when I ended up becoming a women’s bible study leader I found that praying for others aloud was part of the job and it stressed me out. I am better at it now but only comfortable within that smaller group of ladies I know.
Certain things I did that helped me initially was keeping it simple and short, as they share their heart I learnt to say let’s pray right now- because I noticed that if I waited too long I would overthink and chicken out. Using scripture verses stirs the soul better than any words we can say. And I learnt to ask them specifically what you want me to pray about- it helped me verbalise the prayer for them rather than assuming what they might want in that moment.
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Thank you. Those are all good things to consider. I definitely over think things, stress myself out and then chicken out. 😕
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Wonderful story.
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Thank you.
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