ENGAGE! ENGAGE! (this is written with permission from my friends)

Think for a minute about people you know - truly happy, wholehearted, engaged people. They are usually happy in their marriage - giving all to their relationship. They are usually great parents because they just love being with their kids. They are often `successful' in their work because they get up each morning, ready to push themselves to be better than they were the day before. They are not afraid to move out of their comfort zone to try something new. Most of all, they are ALIVE! They are wonderful Christian people, living their faith and serving God with wholehearted devotion.

"Acknowledge the God of your father. Serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts." 1 Chronicles 28:9

Mark and I have some special friends. When I first met them 25 years ago, just after moving to Brisbane, Rob was a very shy, internal person. Paulinne just loved life and loved being a mum to her three little boys. I had only one son and because I felt so imcompetent as a mother, I loved spending time with my new friend. Her vibrancy and joy was catchy., but most of all she just made you feel like a wonderful special person. Being a quiet and internal person himself, Mark always enjoyed his time with Rob. As far as I know they didn't talk much, but Mark would always come away feeling good about himself too.

We moved away - that's what Army families do. We made new friends, but when things got a little tough, our thoughts and hearts would always go back to our special friends.

When we moved back to Brisbane many years later, we couldn't wait to have a visit with Paulinne and Rob. They had changed a lot - Rob was now a confident businessman and Paulinne a career woman. But one thing hadn't changed - their vibrancy and love for life, for each other and now their four boys. It was again catchy. Mark and I came away knowing we could face whatever life had in store for us. Even Aaron couldn't wait to be back with Uncle Rob and Aunty Paulinne.

We don't spend as much time visiting our friends anymore. Their lives are busy. Their children have grown up and they cherish their time with their family. But we do write and they are still fully engaged in marriage and parenthood. Each day they are still looking for new challenges to help them grow. And, they are still fully engaged in living their faith and being Christ's devoted witnesses.

"So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.

Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do...................... Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and

spiritual songs among yourselves, and make music to the Lord in your hearts. Give thanks for everything to God the Father in the

name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:15-20.