Welcome! I’ve been thinking about how challenging the past nine months have been for many people. There have been so many changes. A major change in my life is Fallowfield United Methodist Church has closed its doors for an indeterminate period of time. This will be the only time I’ve missed Fallowfield’s entire Advent season and Christmas Eve services while I’ve lived in the Atlantic community.
There’s so much fear devouring people. I refuse to live in fear or despair. I’ve lived with far too much of this over the past six, nearly seven years, as I’ve battled nearly suicidal depression and relationship problems.
I am well. I am happy. I have wonderful people in my life whom I adore. I have the opportunity to share my thoughts and faith with you, my dear readers, weekly, and through my novel, “Freeing Colt,” which I published in February, as well as through my blog at christylindsayauthor.com.
I’ve also started a Facebook group, Mindful March, where I can encourage members to walk for mental and physical health. It’s a place where we pray for one another and build each other up.
I am amazed at what God is doing through this group! You’re welcome to join, by the way. Look up Mindful March on Facebook and request to join, or message me at Christy Moore Lindsay. You can also email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
I know many of you have struggled this year because of the changes that have been forced on us, or that we’ve chosen to adapt to. I’ve found, though, that I’ve missed very little of what seems to have been taken away from me. God has shown me what is truly important, and I’ve found it lies in relationships more than anything else. My relationships with God and my dearest ones are what really matters. That, good health, and God’s continual provision.
But I’m also learning that recognizing opportunities to serve God is almost as important as these blessings. I’ve had divine appointments all year—opportunities to encourage and pray for others—that I might not had had if things weren’t so upside down. And God has not only opened my eyes to these opportunities, he’s made me so grateful that I can serve him this way.
The recurring theme has been very simple: I listen. I listen to people as they share worries, struggles, excitement, hope, and encouragement. I never realized what a gift this is before this year. I won’t forget it.
Maybe that’s what you can do today, right now, even, to improve the lives of those around you: simply listen. Don’t wait to talk. Don’t interject. Don’t advise. Listen. Smile. Cry. Pray. If they ask for feedback, offer it gently and prayerfully.
If they just need to talk, wait until they finish, provided they don’t devour your time. This can be a challenge, too. You have to set boundaries, even if it’s a simple, I’ll listen for five minutes, kind of thought.
Most people will wrap it up before it becomes an emotional purge, but I’ve found it’s best to wait it out. You can’t imagine the burdens I’ve sensed people dropping after they’ve talked to me.
Please understand—I’m not saying I’m so wonderful or so special because I listen. All I’m saying is, I sense God’s chosen times for me to listen. And I act on it.
When you keep your mind and heart open for these opportunities and act on them, you’ll be amazed at what God does in and through you. Just watch.
`` Before I forget, Atlantic Community Church is hosting a Christmas Eve service at 7 p.m. Maybe you can attend.
Have a wonderful week! Blessings!