>Effects of Haiti Hits Home

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I have not heard back from one of my small group members from church. Born and raised in Haiti, she along with some of her family members relocated to New York when she was approximately 13 years old. Not too long ago she decided to pack her things and move by herself from New York to Atlanta. Although we have grown close, for several days now I have been completely consumed with the devastation in Haiti, and my own personal life, yet forgetting all about my dear friend.

As a small group leader I am responsible for facilitating the care and discipleship of my members, while helping to build an “authentic” community. I am supposed to check in with them regularly and make sure that all is well in their lives. It bothers me that I had not spoken with her in over a week. Another group member called me, also concerned and said that the last time she spoke with our friend was last week- and that at that time there was a sister still living in Haiti who hadn’t contacted family to say she was okay.

I felt as though I swallowed an apple whole. What is going through our friend’s mind? Had she heard news of her sister’s whereabouts? Is she okay? My mind began to race as I thought of the last email she responded to…wow that was two weeks ago when I sent that out…the only other email I have sent since then was earlier yesterday. I’m going to keep trying to reach her by phone and email. I have been praying non-stop for those affected by the earthquake and aftershocks in Haiti; now I’m saying an extra prayer for my friend and her family still in Haiti…hoping that soon she will call and say that all is well.

Copyright © 2010 by Natasha L. Foreman. All rights reserved.

>It’s Been Awhile

>It’s been a few months since my last post. I have to admit that there are no real reasons but a bunch of excuses. Life happens and sometimes we forget that we still need to reflect and find the strength to make it through our days.

A lot has happened since my last post and without dwelling on my personal life and what’s missing in it I will instead focus on the positive…my blessings….Tomorrow is my birthday and I am grateful for another year…all thirty plus years.

Wow it’s amazing saying that because it seems just like yesterday I was 30 and before that I was 25 and oh I remember being 21 and saying that, “I can’t wait until I’m thirty”. Thirty has come and gone and I am in excellent mental and physical health thank goodness; I have been attending church regularly and now I’m even attending Wednesday night services, and I volunteer there also.

Oftentimes when we have a void in our lives we fill it with things that just don’t belong there such as bad relationships, junk food, alcohol, drugs, meaningless sex, etc. This time when a void occurred I worked hard to overcome my natural inclination to fill that space with instant gratification.

I’m tiptoeing on being in my mid-30s…some would say I’m already there…please let me stay in denial for a little while longer! 🙂

There’s things that I pray for daily and I must focus on desiring the things that I need and not simply the things that I want. I want to be married and have a family…I believe that this is a need but I’m not quite sure. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs it does count as a need.

What Maslow believed is that with growth and development we lean less on our physiological needs, and our need for safety and security, and we progress up the pyramid towards the highest need for self-actualization.

I’d like to get your feedback…what do you think about Maslow’s Hierarchy and do you think my desire for marriage and family is a need…or a want?