You are reading the 51st issue of Drawing Near, a newsletter to encourage connection and soften the ache of loneliness. Each week, you'll receive inspiration for connecting with God, yourself, and the people around you. To see previous issues, go to our newsletter page.

Connect with God

Are there verses in the Bible that you don't like? I came across one of my least favorite passages of Scripture while reading through Mark. As a people-pleaser who values peace, harmony, and connection, the following verses have always made me squirm:

³¹His mother and his brothers came, and standing outside, they sent word to him and called him. ³²A crowd was sitting around him and told him, “Look, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are outside asking for you.”

³³He replied to them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” ³⁴Looking at those sitting in a circle around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! ³⁵Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)

I read this, and then struggled with it all day. And then it occurred to me that my perception of what I was reading is all wrong. When I hear this story, what stands out to me is rejection. How could Jesus reject His own mother and siblings?!

What I missed so many times was the invitation.

But let me backtrack, I don't believe Jesus is rejecting his biological family. He loves them! And we have other verses to show that they were still around. This is just one instance where he told them, "No."

Jesus' family, in this instance, wanted Jesus to be safe and healthy. He hadn't eaten. He was surrounded by crowds every where he went. They didn't yet understand his purpose. They even said he's a little crazy (see verse 21). But Jesus knew what His Father wanted Him to do. Jesus knew the path forward wasn't safe.

Through His example, we see that even people that know us very well—like our family—may not understand our mission when we are living for God. It can seem crazy to others how much time you may spend glorifying God through whatever it is that you do for Him. But their comfort is not your priority.

There is a reframing here that I find helpful. Instead of viewing this as the ultimate rejection of his family, what if we viewed this as the ultimate invitation? Jesus says whoever follows God is His family.

For the one that feels unwelcome, the one who feels invisible, the one who never gets invited, the one who feels misunderstood, the outlier—Jesus is your family. God is your Father. I am your sister.

Because of Jesus, belonging is no longer defined by blood, but by who you follow. I hope that message turns what felt hard about some of Jesus' actions into words of comfort.

Connect with Yourself

Lisa Whittle shares Godly wisdom in "How to Survive People Over the Holidays."

Connect with Others

Jon Batiste and Andra Day sing a lovely song called "Lean on My Love":

"You can lean on my love when
there's no one to hold you

I'll lift you up, never run from
what you're going through."

I'm so thankful for music that puts meaningful thoughts into poetry🎶

Holiday Shopping List

I'm not here to influence you to buy more stuff, but if you're looking for some ways to make connections this season, I have some ideas for you!

📖She Reads Truth Advent Study

I'm not a part of a church that practices Advent. However, my first Advent study I read gave me so much peace during a chaotic season. With an eternal perspective, I stopped overthinking every little thing (the gifts! the food! the decorations! the wrapping paper!).

I hope daily Scripture reading during the holiday season does not feel like one more thing on an already busy to do-list. Instead reading God's word during a busy time can help you feel grounded, rested, loved, and connected to God. There are many good books to choose from, and I'd like to share with you why I love the She Reads Truth studies.

The SRT study books do not have devotionals in them. They are filled with Scripture and a few "helps" like timelines or charts or background information. The Advent book has recipes and crafts, but the focus of the book is the Scripture reading plan. These books make me feel connected to God and not to the author of the book. If you do like a devotional, they have a website and app, and they discuss the readings on their weekly podcast.

Here is the 2025 Advent reading guide: Tidings of Comfort and Joy. I can't wait to start reading it on November 30th. Let me know if you're reading it too!

💌Thank You / Thankful for You Cards

Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) is less than a week away! If you're looking for a way to tell friends, family, teachers, neighbors, and anyone that you are thankful for them, I have a quick and easy solution for you.

These cards below (and six other designs) are available in my little coffee shop, and they are an instant download. You download the three page PDF, then you can print on your home printer or at a print shop (my local Office Depot is where I print). See all nine designs here!

🎄Christmas Cards

Gratitude doesn't stop in November! Let your friends know you are thinking about them with these newly added Christmas note cards in my shop. If you love Christmas music, then you'll enjoy these cards that each feature different Christmas lyrics. Nine designs in all!

See them in my coffee shop here!

I'm planning on making some of these designs into phone wallpapers to share with you soon. Reply and let me know which ones are your favorite!

✨New Etsy Shop!

I met with a writing friend for coffee a couple of weeks ago, and I was showing her the cards I was working on for my Buy My a Coffee shop. And I shared how I was considering reopening my old Etsy shop and putting the designs there too. And as soon as I said it out loud, it made sense, "I already have the designs, I might as well put them anywhere I can." So...

Drawing Near Paper Studio was born! I will continue with the BMAC shop for now also. But if you prefer to shop on Etsy, you can find me there too! On Etsy, I'm selling single designs too, so if there is one card you prefer, you can purchase just that card and print as many copies as you would like!

Make sure to hit the Follow button in Etsy so you can keep up with new items as they're posted! The Christmas cards will be posted soon!

I hope your Thanksgiving week is filled with small moments of whatever it is that you need🤎