An Investment with a Great Return

I had a gift of a day yesterday. It was like Christmas in July! I headed out for a brunch with some long time friends that I haven't seen in a while. The hostess was this amazing girl from our youth group long ago. She is all grown up now with kids. I have watched her through Facebook and heard of all the wonderful things she is allowing God to do as she moves across the country. It was incredible to wrap my arms around her instead of staring at her in square boxes on the internet and learning about her through typed words. The morning was packed with love, reminders, and encouragement.

Kari is a strong, Godly woman who parents three children while her husband unselfishly serves our country. I am super proud of her and the faith she lives out. After getting past feeling extremely old, I watched and listened to the details of her life. I love how you can get back in a room with friends after extended periods of time and pick right back up where you left off. Kari hosted this brunch to honor some of the ladies that poured into her growing up. I was humbled to be invited but wasn't really sure what I had poured into her other than love. I was a new adult christian at the time I started working with her youth group. Those teenagers taught me a thing or two so I felt like I should be honoring her.

We sat around the table eating, laughing, sharing, and talking about Jesus. I watched as each woman shared with an honest and open heart about where they are in their journey. To listen to the stories, you would be reminded that life is tough. However, my favorite part was listening to how each lady is relying on Jesus to carry her through and there was JOY. There were smiles and words of encouragement flying all over the place. This was no pity party! This was how God intended relationships to be. He wants us to invest in one another. He wants us to take the time to love on each other. He wants us to build each other up. He wants us to push and drag each other through the tough seasons. Romans 12:10 says, "Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor." The whole morning was a time of honoring one another and honoring our Jesus. That is the way He wants it to be all the time. I wonder why we don't want it that way all the time because it sure is easier and more fun.

Kari took the time to write each one of us a personal note (not an email) with precious words from her heart as to how we invested in her all those years. When she began to explain what she had done, my brain scrambled as I began to open my card. I couldn't think of anything specific I had done. When I began to read her card, I wondered if it was really meant for me. Tears rolled down my face as I read how God used me in Kari's life. I had no idea! I was immediately encouraged that God simply wants us to be ready and willing. He will take care of the "able" part.

The morning was topped off with prayer time. We prayed over Kari and the impact of investing hit me the most when her sweet, eight year old daughter joined in to pray. Her words were wise and proof that her momma is investing in her. What a powerful moment that tugged at my heart. Investing in people is SO IMPORTANT. When we invest in each other, it affects generations to come. What a great return on a very simple investment.

Don't allow yourself to be too busy or spread too thin. Time is so valuable and how we choose to invest it is life changing. Kari has had many choices along the way and she has been wise with her choices. Watching her yesterday has once again ministered to my heart to push hard for Jesus. You and I may never fully understand how He is using us to invest in and change generations to come.