I did something I didn't know if I would ever do this week-end. Let me rewind a bit...
3 years ago I stepped out of my comfort zone and began to host a community group in my home. I loved doing it. I LOVED having people into my home for fellowship and getting into God's word. We were a part of a leadership team for our church and it was amazing the way God put a group of people together and how intimately we "lived life together."
Last year, when life changed, I never thought I would want to have people into my home. I didn't know if I wanted to let anyone else into "my mess". Looking back, I see how selfish it was to isolate and only let a very few people into my comfort zone. But then I began to feel something stir inside of me. I began talking with a girl friend about ladies ministry at church. We talked about a craft night, game night, breakfast on Saturday mornings, and so much more. We had good ideas and lofty plans. But like most loftly ideas, they fell by the waste side. Its been at least 4 months since we started brainstorming and we haven't done one little thing. This week I really felt called to be in relationship with others.
- Friday night, a couple from that first community group joined us at home for a meal. Pizza, salad and pound cake was all it took to make this crew happy. The fellowship was amazing and hearing how God was working in their lives is nothing short of a blessing.
- Saturday, we visited some very dear friends who are going through some health stuff. We sat in their home and sipped hot chocolate and played "catch up" on their lives.
- Saturday night, I invited about 10 women from church to come over just to "hang out". In reality my house had 3 women and 4 teen aged girls just spending time together. In the midst of "breaking bread together" we watched "life happen". Watching my daughter with her friends touched this mama's heart to say the least. BUT listening to the stories of my girl friends was nothing short of a miracle.
Life happens- struggling marriages; raising preschool children; parenting teenagers; way too busy schedules; not finding time for "fun", Life happens. It can be sticky, yucky, and uncomfortable. It can also be joyous, triumphant and full of surprises. This song reminds me that God makes our lives richer. Through the pain and struggle comes beauty. His hand is at work in all of it.