Episode 152: Shannan Martin

 

 

Shannan Martin joins me again around the table. Shannan is one of those people that I would love to just be her neighbor. She is the author of Falling Free and her latest book, The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness Around You. She and her husband, Cory, have four kids and many years ago they chose to move from their dream home to the other side of the tracks. If you haven’t heard Shannan’s story, I encourage you to listen to Episode 16 which can only be accessed at SarahBragg.com. Today’s episode picks up where that conversation left off. We talk about how to go about loving your neighbor. We talk about the art of paying attention and how the art of listening holds tremendous power. Your life will be changed for the better in the first 10 minutes of the show due to some conversation about cooking. 

 
Jessica Honegger.png
 

Links Mentioned:

Survival Kit:

  • Sheet Pan Dinners

  • Daily Routine including her morning tea

  • Spending time with the people around her

  • Preemptive Love sweatshirt

Sponsors:

(Amazon affiliate links used when possible--purchasing through these links is an easy way to support the show. Or shop using www.SurvivingSarah.com/amazon and a portion of the what you buy will go back to the show.)

Connect with Shannan:  Website // Facebook // twitter // Instagram

Takeaways From Our Conversation:

  • “The ministry of ordinary places is just living…as a neighbor.” It's choosing to pay attention to the world around you. It's choosing to get to know the people who are in proximity to you. I loved how simple and practical Shannan took us with her advice to simply create a reason to need your neighbor’s help. We have been without a washing machine for 3 weeks now and it has been shocking how hard it has been for me to ask for help. I don’t want to impose or I don’t want someone to have to change their schedule. But that first weekend that it broke, I reached out to my next door neighbor and asked to use their washing machine. I think Shannan is right. When we level the playing field—that we all want to be known and needed—relationship flourishes. I think my neighbors welcomed my need. I think it continued to build the relationship.

  • “Loving your neighbor should be infusing your life.”

  • “Ministry of ordinary places means wherever you are planted, this is where we live out our calling.”

  • What would happen if we approached people with our arms open to extending friendship, hope and trust?

  • "Knowing your neighbors by name is a good place to start.”

  • It takes time to get to know your neighbor. You need to commit to the long game.

  • We’ve lost the art of listening. “There is tremendous power in listening to people.”

Discussion Questions:

  • What is the most ordinary thing happening in your life and how can you pay attention to what’s happening around you?

  • How can you connect with people who are near you?

  • What would it look like to accept the people around you as your people?

  • What intimidates you about meeting your neighbors?

  • What can you do today to meet your neighbors?

  • What is one thing you can do this week see your surroundings as a ministry of paying attention?

What did you enjoy about this episode? What was your takeaway. Let's continue the conversation on Instagram or Twitter.

Thank you for following along life with me. I love being apart of your day. And as always, I hope this show helps you survive a little easier.

A new episode every Tuesday... just subscribe.

Subscribe for free on iTunes or Stitcher or your favorite podcast app so that you don't miss out on great conversations with women just like you. Women who are surviving and thriving. You don't have to do life alone. Be inspired, encouraged and entertained by women like Sandra Stanley, Shannan Martin, Jen Hatmaker, Jamie B. Golden, Mo Isom, Annie F. Downs, Joni Lay from Lay Baby Lay, Ellie Holcomb, Kay Warren, Suzanne Stabile and many more.

Did you enjoy today's conversation? Rate the podcast.

My goal each week is to encourage you to survive in this very thing called life. If you were encouraged or inspired or entertained, head over to iTunes and leave a brief review with a 5 star rating.

Here is a recent one from "Tricia865". She said, “I have loved every episode I’ve listened to so far. I feel like sarah is always talking to incredibly relevant, intelligent and awesome people with very relevant and helpful topics. There really is something for everyone here. I’m so addicted that I’ve started going back in time and listening to all the old ones.”

Your review will help get the podcast in front of new listeners who are just like you looking to know that they aren't alone in life. Thank you for being awesome!

 
Podcast, Relationshipssarah bragg