For over five years I have had the amazing privilege of being a part of two small groups of women. Despite my homebody tendencies and somewhat introverted nature, I have found a safe haven of fun, accountability and genuine friendship with some of the most godly women I know. And in those times where we’re on a break for the holidays or summer, I find life gets so much more difficult. Yes, I have two more days per week that I don’t have to pack lunches and herd everyone out of the house by a particular time. But the sense of routine, and even more so, the time for me to step out of our home and pour into others, as well as be poured into, gives my daily life such a boost, it’s hard to exaggerate its impact! My kids, too, love the opportunity to see their friends, learn something new and play themselves into weariness.
I’ve felt so terrible about neglecting to write lately, especially with so much on my mind and being desperate to share and interact (especially with some adults!) Now that my groups are back, I have that time to write and step out of the darkness of isolation I’ve found myself in these past few weeks.
Paul wrote in Ephesians “…speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.” (4:15-16)
Growing up into Christ, becoming more like Him, acting like Him and loving like Him is something to be done IN community, not in isolation! Be insulated…not isolated!
Coming together with purposefulness (commitment)…to speak the truth in love (accountability)…to act in our individual gifts as a blessing to others (service)…this is the path of maturity for believers in the body of Christ. The Church is not a building or a meeting time. It is people who are passionately following Jesus Christ. It’s the people, not the place!
So, from a woman, a wife, a mama and a writer…Thank You to you pastors, staff and leaders who give of yourselves to bless me and so, so many with this safe place to be all about the people! This writer is blessed to have the time to think in peace and express my heart on paper. This mama is blessed with other moms who uplift me and the knowledge that my kiddos are safe and learning more about God. This wife is blessed to have other wives pray for my marriage and encourage me in every up and down. This woman is blessed to have the chance to express myself in the way God has designed me, with the opportunity to share that with other women.
It was scary for me at first to step out and meet new people. But it has made such a difference in my life, brought light into darkness in such beautiful ways! It’s worth the planning and purposefulness…It’s worth the time and effort it takes to dive into new friendships…It’s worth even those occasional hurts in dealing with other imperfect humans. I challenge you to take that step if you haven’t already into the insulation of godly friends who will love you and speak truth into your life!
