You are reading the 58th issue of Drawing Near, a newsletter to encourage connection and inspire you to live a less lonely life. 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.

I hope that you are doing well this week regardless of what mother nature has served you this week! My family is on day seven of being stuck safe at home. We have been lucky to keep our power and water through it all, though I know areas around us have endured worse.

I continue to be moved when the worst conditions can bring out the best in humanity. Through social media, I've seen: a man checking on his elderly neighbor whose car was on in the driveway (he was charging his phone), men on four wheelers delivering Chick-fil-A sandwiches to drivers lined up on blocked highways, strangers anonymously in the middle of the night clearing snow and ice-covered parking lots for small businesses so they can open, and neighbors sharing eggs to avoid driving in the snow and ice.

When life slows down, we remember what matters. Let's hope we can continue to check on our neighbors even after life gets back to its hectic pace!

Connect with God

There is power in talking to God, especially when you feel like you have no one else to talk to:

🙏🏻Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

📖In her book, Uninvited, Lysa TerKeurst says:
“The conversations I have with the Lord in my loneliness always lead me to more intimacy with Him and more compassion for others.”

Connect with Yourself

What activities fill you up, but won't happen unless you plan it ahead of time? Make a list, then make a plan for 2026.

Cultivate What Matters gives twelve ideas to get you thinking. Notice how most of these activities involve others too!

​See the Facebook post here.​

Connect with Others

Maybe you've been the new family at church and felt invisible and unwelcome. Kate Gaston shares her perspective and how it has changed:

"I have been the stranger. Now I am called to welcome the stranger."

​Read the full post here.​

Stay warm and keep doing the meaningful work of leaning in towards God and the people He has placed in your life💗

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