We have a great sugar cookie recipe, so we whipped up a batch, added pink icing and sprinkles (ate a few while we were waiting for the last batch to get done) and took them to our neighbor. This is where it got tough for me. We don't know our neighbor very well. He introduced himself when we first moved in, and we've had a few "Can you believe this weather?" and "Has the mail run yet?" conversations, but that's about it... and I've been fine with that. I like to think I'm a fairly outgoing person, but I have come to realize over the last few years that I tend to lean toward the reclusive side if I'm not intentional about community. It's not that I'm shy, I just like my routines. It's easy as a mom of little ones to find myself completely out of touch with the rest of the world and have no idea how I got there. Busyness, sick kids, errands and everything else seem to get in the way. I'm often content with just checking Facebook posts and commenting on my friends' pictures, instead of getting out and meeting new people. Since we've moved to Texas, I confess that I still haven't met many people here. I've reconnected with some old friends and some family, but getting to know anyone new has not been on my agenda.
So, I'm a bit out of practice when it comes to working up the courage to go up and start a conversation with a stranger. Sounds silly, doesn't it? But some of you know exactly what I'm talking about. Well, we wrapped the cookies and started toward the house next door. I kept remembering this idea that has been flooding my head as of late: If I don't step out of my comfort zones, neither will my children. Courtney is such a little mini-me when it comes to her personality. I look at her and I see myself, only without the baggage. She hasn't been rejected at the 3rd grade lunch table yet. She's never been told to mind her own business. She has yet to be a victim of a clique. She just loves everyone and believes they're all her friends- or could be, if they got to know her better. She is confident and outgoing, full of joy and great ideas. I want to nurture and shape that as much as possible while she is young...
So, here we go! Deep breath...
As we headed out the door, my heart raced. Why? Who knows? Keep going. I had already told Courtney we would go, so we had to follow through. Either I would step out and do the right thing, or I would cower away and break my daughter's heart. So I sucked it up. I "put on my big girl panties". I pulled up my bootstraps- or whatever you want to call it, and we started walking across the yard. We rang the bell. A minute later, a scowl slowly peeked around the door. Oh, great- he doesn't like visitors! He's having a bad day! This was a bad idea! I thought. Trying to break the ice, I smiled and said, "Hi! We were making Valentine's Day cookies today and thought we'd bring some over!" in my most cheerful, sing-song voice. His expression changed, a smile swept over his face, and he opened the door. He seemed genuinely surprised and blessed by our little act of love. We talked for a minute and then Courtney and I headed back across the yard.
...And, exhale.
I am so glad we took the cookies to the neighbor, but I realized that over the last few years my comfort zone has been shrinking. I have got to get back on the ball and stretch myself from time to time. The Kingdom of God is all about people and relationships. If I can get comfortable taking cookies to the neighbor, then I'm sure I can get comfortable doing other things to express God's love to people. Baby steps, for sure, but steps forward, nonetheless.
So my heart for all of you today is that you can find the courage to step out of your comfort zones to express God's love to someone in need. Start small if you have to. Cookies. Brownies. People love food. Think about the kind of person you want your child to grow up to be- and then model that for them, the best you can. Let God strengthen you as you go, but just GO. You never know- when you get out of your comfort zone, you may just find yourself acting like the person God created you to be!
Way to go! It is sooo true that mamas need to step out of their comfort zones more often than we do. Thanks for the challenge! Loved this post!
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