June 14: WE GROW WHERE WE'RE LOVED.

Affirmation: Asking for help is a gift to myself and others.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬
In our culture the thought is that “l need to be independent. I need to take care of myself to show my strength and maturity.” But we all need to be interdependent…helping each other and accepting help. There is strength and maturity in supporting each other.

~~~~~~~Ponder, Personalize, Practice: As you go through your day, make 1 Corinthians 16:13,14 your prayer and practice. Ask for help and allow others to help you. 
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬~~~~~~~

Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

                      June 14

WE GROW WHERE WE'RE LOVED.

The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 

PROVERBS 12:26 

A buddy of mine was telling me the other day how proud he was of his daughter. She's smart as a whip and was being pursued by a lot of top universities because of her test scores and top-of-class GPA. What surprised me, though, was when he told me she wasn't choosing college based on the pedigree of the institution but by the caliber and quality of students who go there. When I asked why, he said that she wants to surround herself with the kind of people she wants to grow into. While she could have a framed degree from a world-famous univer­sity, she'd rather have a heart that reflects the values she cherishes. 

It made me wonder: What if our personal growth depends less on what organizations and social issues we identify with and more on who we're sur­rounded by? When I look at Jesus, He seemed less concerned about the place and more concerned about the people in it. He wasn't interested in recognition by the biggest institiutions or most powerful people. He seemed more drawn to those in need and less mesmerized by people who had little influence as society may measure it. 

If you're on the cusp of a major transition in life or just feel a little stuck in the life you have, take a look around at the people. Are they people who are pouring love into your life? Are you putting a big load of your love into thein? Are they interacting with the world by leading with their opinions, or do they see the world through the lens of love? 

You can trade all the accolades from strangers and a dozen degrees from pedigreed institutions for a couple of good friends. We only really grow where we're loved. Don't trade one for the other. 

Who are you surrounding yourself with these days? What influence are they having on who you're becoming?