Your Go-To

Photography by Madi Flournoy Henderson

We all have that go-to item hanging in our closet. It could be a shirt, a pair of jeans, or even a dress. Whatever it is, we pick it because we know it looks good and feels good.  But, most importantly, we pick it because we know we look good in it. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be our go-to.

These pieces of jewelry are my go-to for any occasion. Each piece has a story behind it and represents a time of celebration in my life.  It’s almost as if they provide a sense of comfort when I wear them.

At the end of the day, the “go-to” items in your closet or on your dresser are really just that… items. They hold sentimental value, which is special, but you can continue on without them. Another characteristic of our go-to items is that they tend to change with whatever season or period of life you are in. Something you wear over and over again in the summer isn’t going to be the same thing that you wear in the winter. Unless, of course, you live somewhere tropical. And, if that’s the case, aren’t you lucky! 

Just like the go-to items in our closet, our go-to people change, too. We all have that group or that clique that we know we can go to with anything: to celebrate, to cry, to laugh, or to grab a donut with (because who doesn’t want to do that?). There are members of this “go-to” group that you know will be with you for life. Each member holds a specific place in your heart and carries a special gift.

On the other hand, there are those go-to members of the group who enter your life for a season. During that time in your life, you are going to rely on them to walk with you down a specific path. 

No matter what, we all need a go-to. We are not built to take this journey by ourselves. Even Jesus walked the earth with a go-to group. He had people to pray with, eat with, celebrate with, and travel with.  He even had people to challenge Him. Doesn’t that sound very similar to your “go-to” people?

This week, I encourage you to recognize the gifts in each of your “go-to” people. Take a moment to realize what they offer you. Then, take a moment to think about what you can offer them. Check yourself! Have you been as much of a go-to to them as they have been to you? God has placed people in your life for a reason. So GO TO them!  

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirt, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:19-20

Come Together

This past weekend was packed full of events where people were coming together. The City of Franklin put on their annual Main Street Festival. Our church had Serve the City, where over a thousand volunteers went out to do just that – serve the city. Discouraged Predators fans got together and hoped that their cheers would be heard all the way in California (unfortunately, this didn’t work out so well).

While all three of these events were for different purposes, they all had one thing in common – community.

Main Street brought people together to showcase the community’s talents – whether that was through homemade soaps, ACE’s kettle corn, or my all-time favorite… distressed wood signs that say “Nashville.”  The festival showcased artists, singers, and performers from all over Middle Tennessee.

Serve the City brought people together for the purpose of serving other people. It consisted of volunteers giving up their Saturday morning to pick up trash, clean up yards, and fix up homes – all while giving back to the city they call home. Serve the City was a showcase of the change, both physical and emotional, that can happen when people come together.

Believe it or not, despite a losing effort, the Preds even brought people together. Yes, these get-togethers probably consisted of a little more food, a few more beverages, and possibly a few choice words; but, it was a place of community all the same. For our group, the Preds gathering involved the guys cheering in the living room and the girls sitting on the back porch sharing life stories and watching our talented friend design chalkboards. I honestly didn’t even realize the Preds lost until we got home later that night and noticed Adam moping around. 

The point of highlighting these events is to showcase our need for community. People like to be around people – especially people that encourage and challenge you. It’s important to value those people that God has placed in your life. It’s also important to recognize that community can be anywhere.

Not only can you have community at church, but you can also have community at work, at the gym, at your child’s school, or even while hanging with your friends on a casual Saturday night. And these communities give you a chance to make your mark. It can be in big ways, like organizing a platform for your co-workers to raise money for a local charity. It can be in small ways, like bringing hummus and pita chips (ok, ok… champagne works, too) to a much needed girls’ night at a friend’s house. It can even be as simple as picking up the phone and catching up with an old friend. The point is that you can build community through your work and through your love. Further, you can build God’s community when you live as an example of everything He can do. But I promise you – you can’t do it alone. You need community.

How can you contribute to building your community this week?

Image by Emily Poe-Crawford

One Step

Last Sunday, the weather was so amazing that Adam insisted we spend all day outside. This worked out well for me because I was able to convince him to go to Proper Bagel for an after-church brunch.  I used their underrated patio as my negotiating leverage!  When it came time to select an afternoon activity, I thought we would either go for a walk or sit by the pool; but, in Adam’s opinion, the only outside activity worth pursuing was to hit the range. So we did.

Don’t get me wrong, I like golf. There is nothing like a “golf nap” on a Sunday afternoon. It is the most peaceful sporting event to nap through. However, because I associate golf with these naps, when I actually play the sport, I have trouble making it through all eighteen (okay, okay… nine) holes without getting tired. On this particular day, we were just going to the driving range (which is also code for an additional hour long putting session), so I was pretty sure I could swing it… literally. 

Here is the thing about golf: there are so many steps to remember when you hit the ball. First, you have to hold the club just right. Well, actually, you have to initially pick the correct club. Let me tell you how I handle making that decision –

Me: Adam, which club should I use?

Adam: Pick a high one.

Me: Well, which way is high? Is 3 high – like 3rd place? Or, is a 9 high?

Adam: (Insert eye roll) Just get an 8.

SO, every time I hit the ball, I just use an 8, a pitching wedge, or a putter. After you pick the correct club, you have to line yourself up in the direction you want to hit the ball. The odd thing is that you are sideways, even though you want to hit it straight. Unless of course you are putting, then you have to hit it in the direction of the curve of the green. Then, you have to choke up on the club… but not too much. Interlock your fingers just so. Bend your knees and lean over the ball… but not too much. Pull your arms back to swing… but not too far back, and keep your front arm straight. Then, you swing the ball and attempt to get under it… but not too much… all while you keep your head down and knees bent.

Were you able to keep track of all those steps? I sure couldn’t.  Out of the 50 balls – I probably had two decent shots. Whenever I asked Adam what I was doing wrong, his answer was always something different. No wonder golfers make so much money!

While it takes many steps to perfect your golf swing, it only takes one step to pray.

Print available at LeMarigny 

Really, just one step. All you have to do is start talking to God. You don’t have to be in a certain place, read a particular chapter in the Bible, fold your hands together, or keep your eyes closed. You can be anywhere and just start talking to God.

The sense of peace I feel when I remember to talk to God is truly amazing. It is very easy to get caught up in all the steps to make it through the day that sometimes we forget the most important one. For me, it usually isn’t until I become so overwhelmed with the day’s “steps” that the prayers start to pour out. I only wish I could remember to talk to Him sooner. But that is the beauty of the relationship God has with us. It doesn’t matter how quickly or how long you wait to talk to him… He is always there to listen.

It only takes one step.