you should probably send the text

and open the ones you receive

The blue dot kept looking at me and I at it.

At 10:15pm, it was already passed my designated bedtime which meant no more replies on iMessage. Yet something about this text kept calling to me.

Of course I had seen it pop up several hours before but in true “in my 20s” fashion, I felt like I didn’t have the capacity to respond nor even open the message there and then.

So I waited.

No real intention of opening it till the next day until I noticed something.
There were no words, just a song.

A song being shared with me by one of my closest friends. A song with a name that beckoned to exactly what I’ve been wanted to do more of and be.

Planted.

Not only did it become the catalyst to this article I’m writing but it got me thinking of two things.

1. Nudges from the Holy Spirit can save lives

2. Over sharing with the internet has made us forget the point of having relationships

Nudges from the spirit

I feel like a lot of people speak about this topic.

That whenever you feel the urge to talk to someone, just talk to them. Or if you keep thinking about someone send them a message.

Yet not many people go into detail as to why exactly it’s important.
Let’s take Abraham.

Not only did he save ‘good’ people from destruction in a desolate city but he exercised something important. That true friendship, especially with God is necessary and worthwhile.

child like faith & friendship

The desire or urge to do something for someone else is a rebellion against the flesh.

The flesh wants nothing more than to give up. To keep yourself so isolated from others that envy, strife and jealousy can brew within your heart and not love.

Abraham could’ve easily left Lot and his family in Sodom and Gomorra. It could’ve been a lot easier to have written him off based on the decision he made to live in an unholy place.

But instead he pleaded and interceded for them. Not once but multiple times.

He sent the blue dot.

Over sharing on the internet

I recently read an incredible article which touches on the point I’m trying to make here.

We’ve become so accustomed to sharing outwardly, that we no longer feel the need to share horizontally.

To remember that we have people and relationships in our lives that are up to us to nurture. The Bible says “if you want friends, show yourself friendly” and practically that can look like sharing.

Something so simple can impact someone’s entire day, so why don’t we do it more often?

Sharing songs, funny stories, recipes, dreams. Having short or long talks with the people you claim to value in your life. That’s how relationships can deepen and even blossom.

When you allow people to be and feel seen.

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It’s a shame that I almost lost out on my own deliverance/answered prayer because of my own rigidity.

That is not to say I wouldn’t have woken up to see the message the next morning but I wonder if I would’ve appreciated the sentiment as much as I did in the night.

I say all this to say, the next time you feel a nudge to call/text/speak/share, keep in mind you’re not the only one who could benefit from your small act of service.

thoughtfully & prayerfully,

alexis xo

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If you liked reading this piece you might enjoy the ones below:

the quiet sin of holding back

i've decided to participate in my life

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