Henry Nouwen says in The Return of he Prodigal Son, 'We don’t have to go far to find the treasure we are seeking. There is beauty and goodness right where we are. And only when we can see the beauty and goodness that are close by can we recognize beauty and goodness on our travels far and wide. There are trees and flowers to enjoy, paintings and sculptures to admire; most of all there are people who smile, play, and show kindness and gentleness. They are all around us, to be recognized as free gifts to receive in gratitude.'

Spring seems to be a time we often devote to cleaning; mainly our homes and the proverbial SPRING CLEANING. I propose we use this analogy to clean the dirty windows we see ourselves through, we see others through, and we see the world through. When was the last time you examined the rooms of your heart and the lens through which we view the world and those around through?  On our mats we are encouraged to do this--to look deep within and seek transformation into something better......something greater.....something more like God created us to be! It is time to take our mats our into this world.  The weather is changing and encouraging us to break free from the cocoon of winter, to break free of the habitat of our homes and begin to seek the outside!

As a collective community let us strive to become an intentional community; friends on mission together!  Let us see with new eyes each person we encounter as a family member rather than a stranger, acquaintance or some other label we give them. And by this family-mentality let the world see what LOVE actually IS.  Let the world see that we are the change, that each person matters and has a story.  Let us take the time to listen, let our schedules be interrupted, and see people soul to soul rather than just brush by in quick conversation.  Let us INVEST in one another.  Do life together!

Spring challenge: get connected and invest in 2-3 people that you can do life together with. 

What does that look like?  You know each others' story.  you know what ignites each others' souls and you hold each other accountable.  You admit your shortcomings. You call it for what it is rather than what the other wants to hear.  You spend time with each others' families.  You meet socially.  You do yoga together.  You read a book together or anything else you enjoy doing! You meet to pray together, to encourage one another, and to share struggles, highlights, pitfalls, mountain tops, dreams, tears, and everything else in between.  You DO life together!

Life is too short to become consumed by your already too hectic schedule.  Reward yourself and settle down into the person God created each of us to be realizing He created us for community!  God lives in community with His Son and Holy Spirit so why do we feel we can go it alone?  We can't!  Life is too short! It is a GIFT.  It is time to go off your mat yogis!!! Take hold.  Connect. Invest. Do Life......together.