The author of How to Win Friends and Influence People, says,

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people, than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.” ~Dale Carnegie

I tend to agree, don’t you?

Not too long ago, my family began attending a new church. Although this church was a little closer to home, we didn’t know ANYBODY. Even so, we were very pleased to see how welcoming and friendly the people were, right from the start. Our children too felt right at home!

I wasn’t too surprised by this. I mean, churches ought to be some of the friendliest places we walk into! But what DID really surprise me, was the day I received a message from one of the women from our new church.

All her message said was, “Hi. How are you today?”

Surely, she must want something, I assumed, and so I replied with a friendly, “Doing great! What can I do for you?”

Her reply: “Oh nothing. I was just reaching out to talk…”

I don’t know if this is something that would shock YOU, but I had never thought of simply messaging someone for the sole purpose of making conversation!! She made it seem so easy!

As we continued to converse back and forth for a time, it was obvious how very much we had in common. The conversation flowed so beautifully, and we soon made plans to meet for coffee.

Out of that one single act of initiation, has bloomed a comfortable & growing friendship.

And all it took was a simple, “hello, how are you?” Who’da thunk?

 

Building Community- Tip for the Day

Initiate relationship.

You don’t have to plan something elaborate. You don’t even have to have a “reason” per se.

Simply reach out!

PS- this isn’t restricted to only in-person contacts. Thanks to the world wide web, you can send a message, and initiate friendship online too! Think of your own blogging communities. How might God lead you to reach out to some of your blogging sisters? Might you form an online prayer group? Or a networking group? Maybe a support group?

Be creative, and start initiating!!

 

And now for our spotlight writer!

I am proud to present our spotlight writer today.

Kelly and I met through the blogosphere. I immediately was drawn to her blog name- Inspire Me Ministries. Can you guess why? 😉 And after a brief visit to her page, I quickly became a fan of her work!

Since that day, Kelly has been a regular here, at #destinationInspiration. And I’m so very glad!

Please join me in welcoming Kelly Leake!

 

**Because this linkup is all about cultivating community, I ask that you please make a true effort to connect with Kelly through one of the channels she has listed below!**

 

Spotlight Feature!

Meet Kelly Leake!

Hi! I’m Kelly Leake. My blog is Inspire Me! (inspiremeministries.com), and I write about getting closer to Jesus.

I taught High School Spanish for many years before my husband, Jay, and I began working with troubled kids in various children’s homes. We later moved into foreign missions and are now missionaries in Costa Rica.

I don’t have children but my husband has four from a previous marriage. They’re all grown up with their own families. Lots of grandkids with more on the way!

Early in life, I wrote fiction. As I grew in my relationship with God, I became dissatisfied with what I was writing and just quit.

A number of years ago, I started praying about writing again. I began a Christian novel based on my ministry experiences and, at the same time, began learning about the modern world of publishing and platform building.

I initially started my blog as a base for my fiction writing, but I now find it’s taken on a life of its own. I’m enjoying being able to encourage believers in their walk with God and getting to know other writers in the blogging community.

 

Five Faves

Fave Tv Show- Fixer Upper or Chopped

Fave Bible Character- Daniel

Fave Influencer- Francis Chan

Fave Childhood Memory- Playing in the rain with my sisters!

Fave Quote- “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Eliot

 

Fun Fact

I played the accordian as a teenager.

 

Prayer Prompt

I would love prayers for my writing – both fiction and non-fiction – that God would use it all to draw people closer to His heart. Also, pray for our ministry in Costa Rica. There’s still a lot of people here who need to know Jesus.

 

Connect with Kelly

Blog | Facebook | Pinterest

 

Featured Post

The Other Side of Faith: Trusting God with our Suffering

Living with chronic pain and illness is a nightmare. It defies your expectations of how life is supposed to go, wrecking your plans and dreams, and it can stretch your faith to the breaking point.

How can we call God healer when He seemingly refuses to rescue so many who suffer deeply on a daily basis?

My husband, Jay, and I were working in northern Honduras in 2013. We were building a school, and it was a physically demanding task.

Every day, the tropical sun scorched us, and the humidity soaked us as we dug up enormous rocks, positioned cinder block, mixed concrete, installed plumbing, and painted. Fire ants and mosquitoes were frequent guests, stinging any exposed flesh despite our cloud of insect repellent.

But we weren’t complaining. For years, we had been dreaming of this school, and every day brought us closer to making a significant difference in the lives of the children in this poor, rural town. {Continue reading here}

 

If you’re a faith-based blogger and you’d like to featured here in the future, simply comment “I’M IN” below, and I will send out an email with a quick questionnaire to you!

If you’ve already replied “I’M IN”, but have yet to receive an email from me, be sure to check your spam or promotions folder for the questionnaire. It’s there!

 

Time to link arms at the #destinationInspiration linkup! We're working hard at building a community of #faithbloggers that encourage and support one another. And there's a place just for you! Share on X

 

Let’s Link Arms by Linking Up!

1. Linkup 1-2 inspiring, family-friendly, posts using the Inlinkz tool below.
2. Visit the link directly in front of you, to leave a comment and share/pin their post.
3. Don’t forget to connect with this week’s featured writer by following at least 1 of their platforms!

 

I came across the above quote not long ago, and it immediately got my attention.

It’s a simple concept really. Think back to a time when you felt excluded, and attempt to do the opposite.

It really just boils down to the age-old scripture verse, found in Luke 6:31

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

 

When I was in the sixth grade, I had a group of 3-4 friends who were part of the “in” crowd. They were popular, and they knew it! I’m not sure how I was accepted into their “club” but alas there I was.

I wish I could say that this group of friends were caring and kind, but that’s not necessarily the case. Sure, they had their moments- specifically when it benefited them- but for the most part, they used their popularity as a catapult to be mean to those who didn’t quite fit in.

One day, while on the playground, I caught them scolding another friend of ours for playing jump rope with one of the outcast kids. I can’t really recall what got into me, but I had had enough! I walked right over to our fellow classmate, picked up the jump rope and proceeded to play along with her.

You should have seen the expression on her face! She lit up!

The expressions on my friends’ faces however, were that of utter shock and horror. They yelled at me from afar, threatening to exclude me from their club if I didn’t put down the jump rope and follow them.

I refused.

And they did exclude me from their club. I had become the new outcast.

But you know what? I gained a longtime friend that day, and I never looked back!

[Read more…]