over coffee.

I drink a lot of coffee.
Like.
A. LOT.

Typically, drinking coffee is not out of necessity. I tell people all the time, "I can't quit whenever I want." (I realize that if you look at how often I drink coffee, you might be able to argue that.) Mostly it's with people. Or over a good book. This post is about both.

I'm fairly confident everyone likes to be liked. Even if you are - hypothetically - East Coast-grown and have a lot of opinions. I love asking questions, listening to answers and trying to figure out the best way to show people that they are cared about. Because they are cared about. And, turns out, people sort of like to hear that they are loved and cared about. I know. Ground-breaking.

Now a rough segue - I've been trying to read though My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers. I've literally had the book for 10 years. It's a daily devotional, and I've never made it all the way through the book because there are dates at the top and a little piece of me says that I can't read it if it's not the right date. Anyway, a few days ago, the daily devotional opened with this line:

If you become a necessity to a soul, you are out of God's order.

Chambers cites John 3.30, "He must increase, but I must decrease." I've probably heard a sermon on that verse dozens of times, but never like this. My goal shouldn't be to make people like me - but instead to love people in such a way so that they long for Jesus.

When once you see a soul in sight of the claims of Jesus Christ, you know that your influence has been in the right direction. [Chambers]

Honestly, I have no idea how to do that. But the reality is, I can't save anyone. Instead, we should encourage the people we love to hold onto Jesus. He's all that matters.

^ how's that for a "Christianese" ending? #sorry #notsorry

mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She hates that picture, but I love it. (plus the "free layaway" sign is awkwardly photobombing it)

You know that person in the world that has the ability to drive you the most crazy, but also say exactly the right thing at the right them? I think that might be everyone's mom.

Mine worries about me parking in the Target parking lot, traveling around the world, and that the cat has rabies. She is also the person I call when I just need to talk or catch up on family news or just not feel so alone driving in my car.

She - much to her regret now - taught me to be independent. And work hard, even if you're the last person working. She put me to work as a kid sorting paperwork, handing out mail, and stapling stacks of handouts - something that serves me well in every job I've ever done.

My mom prays as she exercises, purposefully, for everyone in her family, trusting that God will take care of us when she can't. Then she worries and calls and sometimes just needs to know that she's loved and appreciated. Which she is.

Happy birthday, Mom.