CRAVING CONNECTION

Something you may not know about me, and probably cannot tell by social media, is that I am extremely shy. I love to be around people, actually I hate being alone. I am not a woman who enjoys alone time at all. If I have errands to run, I want my kids or husband or someone with me. Even if it is just one, quick errand. I am always hearing women say they dream of going to the grocery store alone, that it would practically feel like a vacation. Me on the other hand, I dread going to the grocery store alone.

However, just being around people is about it. I deeply struggle to strike up a conversation and at times even struggle to add to a conversation. Sometimes it is out of fear of not saying the right thing or fear of sounding stupid. And sometimes it's because I have nothing to say and don't know how to really create a conversation.

I deeply crave connecting with women. I think this is what God intended, for women to connect with one another, share with one another, encourage one another, and pray with one another. Yet, it just doesn't come easy for me.

In Bible times, I imagine women meeting at the well to swap recipes, share stories of the kids, encourage one another or just to have a connection with another adult female. Seventy-five years ago I can see women chatting over the backyard fence as they hung laundry out to dry or sitting with each other on a front porch. Fast forward to this year, and everything is social media, we connect through a screen. We don't know how to connect face to face or we fear the connection.

{in}Courage has a brand new book, available today, called Craving Connection: 30 Challenges for Real Life Engagement. Craving Connection is written by 30 different women who share their real life stories, practical tips and encouraging words on connecting with each other.

Jennifer Ueckert says, "We are at our best when we are walking together on this journey." Holley Gerth says, "We can't take the tension of life all by ourselves. We need to share it with others or we'll be pulled to pieces." And Lisa-Jo Baker reminds us that our story might just be someone else's life preserver.

One thing I deeply love about Craving Connection is each chapter comes with an engaging challenge, connection questions and a connection challenge. These precious ladies know how to get right into our hearts and draw us up and out as we learn to connect. What else I truly love about this book? These 30 women are real women. They aren't experts, counselors or even celebrities. They are real women, real wives, real moms, real sisters, real friends. They are all on this journey right beside us. And here, in this beautiful book, they have shared their own findings to give us hope and encouragement.

Craving Connection: 30 Challenges for Real Life Engagement is out today and I think this is a book every woman needs to read. Order by January 15th and get this beautiful mug for free. It says, "Two women met for coffee. When their mugs were empty- their hearts were full." How beautiful is that!

Dayspring has some incredible products that help us remember that we are loved and treasured and that encourage us to share with other women that they too are loved and treasured. Like this "Loved" wear one, share one necklace. It comes with 2 necklaces, one to keep as a reminder and one to gift to a friend. Other than "Loved," they are also available in "Grace," "Hope," "Brave," "Peace," and "Believe."

I love this Inspirational Clip Frame & Art Set. It comes with 25 Scripture and encouragement prints. You or your friend can switch the prints to fit what you need each day. It is a great way to memorize Scripture as well as to be encouraged.

There are many more products that encourage connection and friendship as well as remind us that we are loved, treasured and valued by God. To check out the full line, click the image below.