Hey friends! Today I am working on a pocket page using supplies and the message from the latest devotional – Blessings or Lessons. Once I read the first day, I was immediately inspired to make a small layout to document how important it is to make those human connections that Stephanie talk about. God puts people in our lives and I can definitely saw that this one is a major blessing!
So stick with me here, and there will be a process video at the end!
The internet is a wonderful place. It shares information, it shows us amazing and funny stories and even inspires us. It connects long distance friends and keeps local peeps close without having to have weekly lunch dates – because wow can that get pricey! The social network is a wonderful thing, especially for those of us who prefer to keep some distance at times. We can be social but on our own time. With our own rules and comforts. It’s kind of a perfect place.
This wonderful place has not only kept me connected to people I know but it has awarded me with so many amazing friends that I have never even met in real life. These are the people who totally dig the same stuff as me and who inspire me to be a better person!
But what happens when one of these friends you’ve never met wants to drive with you to a creative workshop that’s 3-hours away? Well, as an E/ISTJ, I analyze how it will all work. Will we listen to music? What time will we meet? How will we start the conversation? Will we run out of things to talk about? Will it be awkward? Will there be a cup holder for my water? What if she doesn’t like me? But my need to connect and chat told me that it would be just fine and that God would work all of that out – and He definitely did! That car ride led to such a wonderful and natural connection that could not have flourished over Instagram alone.
We now text nearly every day about scrappy and crafty things and advice and inspiration and to celebrate good news! She is my kind of person. And she lives 10 minutes from me! But what if I decided to drive alone to this workshop? What if we just met there and never had the real get-to-know-you conversations that allowed us to already be connected by the time we got there? Oh my goodness I cannot even imagine that. Already feeling like we were closer than two-people-who-just-barely-met should be – the workshop (which was an Illustrated Faith workshop) felt so much more comfortable.
So while making friends via the internet is so awesome, let’s never make that more important than the need for actual human connections. Friends who can talk face to face and share laughs and conversation is so important for our souls! Don’t you agree?
Blessings or Lessons Devotional by Illustrated Faith | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Acrylic Stamp Block | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Date Stamp | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd stamp pad in black | 
Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd Enamel Hearts in Black Eyed Pea | Illustrated Faith patterned paper from Whatever is Lovely by Bella Blvd | Illustrated Faith Alpha Stickers in Hey Sugar Sugar by Bella Blvd | Illustrated Faith by Bella Blvd .25 pen in black | Zig Clean Color Brush Pen in black by Kuretake
Thank you for the art and the words, Andrea. It reminded me to step out of my comfort zone for new friends. Like you, I would have done a major analysis before accepting. Thanks again.
Oh Andrea! I love your layout and your words! I never would have imagined you could make friends on the Internet, but the last few years have shown me it’s possible and has led to some pretty great ladies being a part of my life! I love that despite your analytical side, you took that leap of faith and it led to something so great!!
Thank you for the encouragement to take steps of faith for new friends. I love our community!!!