Community.
It’s a word we hear and see tossed around quite a bit. As I sat thinking on it a bit, I came to realize, community can probably be boiled down to a single word – Fellowship.
Maybe two words even – Friendship.
Funny how they both begin with the same letter too.
One of the joys coming from social media and blogging has been fellowship and friendship. Connection and community.
In Ecclesiastes 4, we find the benefits of community explained even further:
- they can help each other succeed
- they reach out to lift one another up when they fall
- warmth of connection
- safety from being overcome
Friends encourage us.
They inspire us with courage, spirit, and hope. They spur us on when we try a new endeavor. They want us to succeed.
The writer of Hebrews gives us these words:
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24, NLT)
When recently asked to review a product, my initial response was to say, “No”. It was a fashion product and I am not a fashion blogger. It was a hair product and I know even less about styling hair and using clips.
All valid reasons. {{insert “excuses”}}, because the real reason when the Lord kept prodding was pride. I didn’t want to appear foolish because I don’t know fashion or how to style hair.
But the soft, gentle voice reminded me, “But you can encourage.”
“If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.” (Romans 12:8, NLT)
And somehow, I am thinking this is a gift we all can possess and exercise.
So I hit “reply” and said “Yes, I can do this.”
I had the joy, YES JOY, to receive these clips. One afternoon last week, we played with each of my granddaughters heads of hair so we could display the clips.
These are the best clips. Seriously. They are easy to use and are beautiful. They are crafted excellently, with quality,ĆĀ and will last a long time. My granddaughters – aged 9 and 5, loved the clips, saying, “They are the most beautiful clips ever!”.
The bobby pins are also beautiful and easy to use.
I am happy to say, my online blogging friend is sharing the JOY. She has given me a $25.00 gift certificate to offer to one of you, my readers. I am telling you, you will want one of these clips.
So I am going to make this easy …
Visit my friend, Shelly Hendricks, on her Lilla Rose site by clicking >ĆĀ HERE . Then come back and leave a comment and you will be entered into the giveaway. Easy, right? And if you should feel inclined, treat yourself or a friend or a child to a clip. I’ll announce the winner on Saturday morning so be sure to come back and see if it’s you!
More than the clip, you will be giving the gift of encouragement.
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT).
Fellowship & Friendship.
Community & Connection.
Friends encourage us.
*Using random.org, the winner was selected and I will email that person. Thank you to each who entered! .
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story andĆĀ Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman .
I love how you tie in the idea of fellowship with your hair clip story. It is simple, honest, and easy to relate to! And the hair clips are fun too!
Thank you, Becky. There are so many ways we can encourage others. And I hope you win š
I can imagine how much fun you and your granddaughters had with these Joanne! I didn’t know there were so many styles. I like the Rose and Elegance clips.
It was fun to see their reactions as they felt pretty special doing this. I hope you win, Laura š
Very pretty photos! I’m headed over to the site. My daughter would love them!
Sarah, with your beautiful hair, you would love them as well. I hope you win š
Good for you, Joanne! You’re stepping out of your comfort zone and blessing others in the process.
Michele, it is interesting how many ways we can encourage others. Our God is most creative. I hope you win š
What an encourager, and I’m thinking about times I’ve missed out encouraging because it’s hard working a book review in a hectic schedule.
Those are some cute clips. I laughed because I’m not good at styling hair, but my daughter and daughter-in-love are.
Debbie, I think God used those clips to open my eyes to the varied ways in which we can encourage others. I hope you win š
You did a great job with this. No need to enter me in the giveaway. xoxo
Thank you, Susan. And there is a need – Hannah š
Lovely post, Joanne! It’s so true we can all encourage. The hairclips look great too!
Thank you, Leslie, They are beautiful clips so they displayed themselves š
May we choose each day to encourage, even when it is not easy!
Indeed! And I hope you win š
Joanne, what a beautiful post!!! You ARE an encourager, in each and every encounter. THANK YOU for agreeing to review these and for putting God into it. I love that so much. And I love you. <3 Heart Hugs
Shelly, it is me who needs to thank you for asking me! Thank you for being such an example of encouragement time and time again. This was my delight to do and taught me deeply to see the opportunities to encourage through a new lens. Love you, friend!
Those ar beautiful!
They really are, Sarah. I hope you win š
Hi Joanne, This is so lovely about community. Shelly is a sweet soul and has prayed for and encouraged me many times. You probably noticed I sent you a new friend request … I wanted that same type community; and wanted to thank you since you had been one to encourage and pray for me so long ago. Out of hundreds of bloggers, very few actually encouraged and prayed in real community. I just didn’t feel right about it all. So I wanted to say thank you. Very much. I have basically started over on FB going from nearly 500 to barely over 100… down to those who truly encouraged. Then I had been on very little since my tumors and husband’s cancer (he’s cancer free now …praise God!), so I hope you didn’t choose to not refriend me because you thought it was personal. I’m sorry if you thought that. It’s just taken me a couple years to really get back to this community. Anyway, don’t want to bother you, so I canceled it. Just wanted to thank you genuinely as you were one of the few. God bless you.
** This comment has been replied to privately through email.
Love how you did your granddaughters hair š
Much appreciated and I hope you win š
Joannne, I am happy I recently found your site. Love your writings and words of encouragement. I look forward to your virtual friendship!
The hair clips are darling. Nice of you to share that site as well!
Much appreciated, Dayna! I am glad our paths crossed. And I hope you win š