Shannon's Corner

  When hiking through the mountains, I always carry a backpack. Inside are the essentials for the journey—things I know I’ll need and, at times, a few items I’ve picked up along the way. Friendships and relationships are much the same. Each of us carries a kind of “heart-pack,” filled with experiences, lessons, and people we’ve gathered on our journey.   But like any backpack, what we carry can get heavy. Some things are precious and worth holding onto. Others only weigh us down. Every so often, it helps to pause, open up that heart-pack, and sort through what’s inside.   Here are four categories that can help when unpacking your relationships: Throw Away or Release  – Some friendships or habits no longer serve us. Maybe they’ve become unhealthy, or maybe they were meant only for a season. Letting go doesn’t mean those relationships weren’t meaningful—it just means you’re choosing not to carry what has become a burden. Treasures or Memories  – These are the frie...

  SHANNON’S CORNER Connect. Nurture. Grow. Cherry Run Camp is like being embraced with a soft, comfy-cozy blanket.  It is my happy place.  A place where I find connection, where my well-being is nurtured, and how I grow more into becoming – the Lord’s will be done in me.   It was such a delight to connect with so many of you at camp.  I was overjoyed with the privilege of being one of the bible teachers for the youth.  Together we did a deep dive into the meaning behind the Lord’s Prayer that we often recite but do we truly know, understand, and take to heart what we are reciting?  At the end of the week, I ended up injuring my right foot rushing up the stairs to the sound booth, so I have been in a boot and using crutches as my foot heals.   Experiencing God’s kindness through the thoughtfulness and hands of both those who I know, and strangers as I traveled to San Antonio, TX, my time there, and my travel home was i...

  Friendships matter. They are one of the greatest sources of wholeness and well-being in our lives. The people we walk alongside can become some of our most profound teachers—showing us things about ourselves, about love, and about God.   But when we enter seasons of transition, our relational and emotional capacity often shifts. We may not be able to engage with friends in the same way we once did. That doesn’t mean friendship becomes less important—it means we may need a fresh perspective.   One helpful practice is to map out our friendships in circles. I call this the  Jesus Friendship Model.  When we look at Jesus’ relationships, we see four layers: His three closest disciples His circle of 12 The wider group of 72 The larger crowds   As you reflect on your own relationships, notice which ones feel mutual and life-giving and which ones leave you drained because they are mostly one-sided.   In times of transition, it’s wise to focus on your inner c...