Electrified Spaghetti and Why God Created Coffee

What would you do if you saw a live wire down?

A few months ago, a semi truck drove through our neighborhood. Staying on the straight path would have been fine, but the driver turned onto a side-street, snagging the power lines.

Live wires down. A tangled mess of electrified spaghetti. Sounds like a good name for a band.

We’ve all strayed from the straight path at one time or another. We hit a snag in life. Next thing we know our live wire is down and we’re feeling disconnected. You probably know someone experiencing that right now. Maybe it’s you.

As we roll into 2016, let’s be intentional about staying connected, and let’s not do this:

  • Pull away from God and friends when life gets messy
  • Miss an event or gathering when we know we should go
  • Procrastinate about calling a friend (maybe one with a wire down)
  • Feel defeated before we’ve even tried
  • Live in our comfort zone, all comfy and cozy
  • Place human limitations on what God can do, and what He desires to do through us

Let’s be in community…

  • There are live wires down all over town. Before we become overwhelmed by the need, let’s pray each morning: God, lead me to the exact person You have chosen for me to connect with today.
  • Take a step back. Encourage others to step forward. We don’t need to do it all, and God didn’t plan it that way. We can reach and encourage other women, two by two, but it doesn’t have to be the same two.
  • What about that God’s girl you haven’t seen at church in a while? How about meeting her for coffee?

I’m convinced God created coffee for a purpose far beyond keeping our eyelids from drooping. Hot or cold, it brings people together. The Lord is so wise. If you don’t like coffee, tea works too.

Girls, we need to connect. This is the one time it’s good to get our wires crossed. Even if we don’t have a wire down, sometimes our spaghetti needs to be electrified. We need to stay connected to the Holy Spirit within us, our power source.

Never doubt there’s someone who needs to hear what God wants to say through you. Yes, you.

Why don’t we get to know each other right here?

Share something about yourself in the comments. It doesn’t have to be much, maybe a favorite hobby, a hometown, a talent, a dream, a goal. This is good practice for when we need an ice-breaker.

I’ll go first:

  • Writing is my passion (after Jesus, family, ministry, and perhaps coffee of course).
  • My hometown is Rockaway, NJ (no, I didn’t mean NY, there is a Rockaway in NJ!).
  • I can twirl two batons at the same time. Aren’t you impressed? It will come in handy someday, I’m sure.
  • I didn’t make the cheerleading squad in high school. You can read about it here.
  • One of my goals this year is to publish two books. One of them being a children’s book of all things! If you have children, grandchildren, or know sweet kiddos at church or in your neighborhood, I’d love it if you’d be willing to spread the word. I’ll let you know when it’s available on Amazon πŸ˜‰
  • One of my dreams, is to plop a Neighbor’s Table smack in the middle of my side-yard, and invite the neighborhood gals over for, I don’t know, coffee? Perhaps a light meal, girl-talk, and however else the Lord leads.

Ok, now it’s your turn! Share some tidbits about yourself.

Have a blessed and joyous New Year my friends,

 

13 Comments

  1. Debbie G.

    ~ I know there is a Rockaway, NJ. I’m a Jersey born girl, too. But, for most of my adult live I’ve lived in sunny FL.
    ~ My hubby and I just celebrated our 40th anniversary last October 4th.
    ~ I love chocolate and coffee and therefore mocha lattes.
    ~ I learned to quilt in order to make a quilt from my son’s shirts after he went home to live with Jesus in 2007.
    ~ I hate housework, but love yardwork.
    ~ The One Word I’ve chosen to focus on for 2016 is “ENJOY”.

    • Doris S. Swift

      Hi Debbie, and thank you for sharing so much of your life and heart with us. I’m so sorry to hear about your son, and what a beautiful quilt that must be. I just followed your blog, and can see you are finding hope and joy through such unimaginable pain. You’re a wonderful writer! So you’re a Jersey girl too, huh? I’ve lived in Florida most of my adult life also. My hubby and I are married 31 years. I also hate housework, but I’m not too fond of yardwork either lol. Love your word for 2016. ENJOY is awesome and I hope that you do my new friend.

      • Debbie G.

        It’s nice to get to know more about you. And thanks for stopping by my place in blog land.

        • Doris S. Swift

          Thanks for having me! <3

  2. Debbie G.

    ~ I know there is a Rockaway, NJ. I’m a Jersey born girl, too. But, for most of my adult life I’ve lived in sunny FL.
    ~ My hubby and I just celebrated our 40th anniversary last October 4th.
    ~ I love chocolate and coffee and therefore mocha lattes.
    ~ I learned to quilt in order to make a quilt from my son’s shirts after he went home to live with Jesus in 2007.
    ~ I hate housework, but love yardwork.
    ~ The One Word I’ve chosen to focus on for 2016 is “ENJOY”.

  3. Lisa

    I love coffee and my mommy

    • Doris S. Swift

      I love you too sweetie!! Thanks for taking time to read the post and comment πŸ™‚ XOXO

  4. Jayna Coppedge

    In the fall of 2014 I started inviting 6 women over on one Friday night a month. They were specifically chosen because I knew they had few close relationships with other women, they were struggling either in parenting or their marriage, but as far as they knew each was chosen because they are a good friend of mine.
    I cook supper for them because I am retired and like to cook, they work full-time jobs and don’t cook, We may play a game or do a craft then talk and pray. I prepare some discussion questions to get them started talking about more meaningful, personal issues. Children don’t come. My husband stays in another part of the house. Not everyone makes it each time and I have added 2 more ladies.
    My biggest surprise is that that they stay for 4 hours.It is late and they keep talking. We see God answer prayers, I see attitudes improving, hope developing, and deep friendships being created.

    • Doris S. Swift

      That is so cool Jayna! I would love that! Thank you for sharing, and I know those gals are as blessed as you are πŸ™‚

  5. Erinn Steger

    Let’s see…
    * I was born in Michigan and raised on the west coast of Florida
    *My greatest passions, after God, are doing hair, singing and connecting with other women
    *I don’t really have any dreams. I’ve been in a holding state for so long I guess I’ve forgotten that part.
    *I love yard work, plants and gardening, but I’m not good at it and too afraid of snakes to get out there
    Oh! I love to cook! And I’m a foodie πŸ™‚
    *I LOVE coffee!

    • Doris S. Swift

      Thank you for sharing Erinn! Love reading these interesting tidbits about you. You have been blessed with many talents, and it’s time to revive those dreams you may have left on the back burner. Another coffee lover! Yay! Have a blessed new year, and thank you for sharing your voice with us πŸ™‚

  6. 5grandkids

    I can twirl two batons too!!

    • Doris S. Swift

      No way Joyce, really? We’ll have to grab some batons and come up with a routine! This will be fun lol. Thanks for stopping by and sharing a comment. Seems we learned something about each other, which was exactly the point. Yay! Happy New Year πŸ™‚

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