When I first got involved with Stonecroft, someone invited me to a prayer meeting. The woman who hosted the gathering had a collection of hearts. She had heart-shaped wall decorations, knick knacks – even heart shaped serving dishes.
I turned to a new friend and said, “What a beautiful collection, I don’t collect anything, do you?”
She quickly responded with a wink: “What do you mean you don’t collect anything? You collect friends, and that’s the best thing to collect. I’m honored to be your friend.”
Before I asked Jesus to lead my life, my friendships lacked something. But Jesus used Stonecroft to help me find my value and purpose in my friend collection. Life wasn’t about me; it was about Him, about His love and friendship with us.
Though my heart was always drawn to people, Bible study, and servant leadership opened my eyes to what it truly means to invest in people’s hearts, to see changed lives.
I seize these moments regularly. I love to see new Stonecroft friends find their value and purpose while reaching women where they are, as they are. I watch women add to their friend collection for kingdom building.
Stonecroft offers various opportunities to help increase our friend collections. Check them out at stonecroft.org/outreach.
“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.”
– Colossians 1:10, NLT
Michelle Cartwright
Mountain Field Director
August 26, 2016 [printfriendly]