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Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

Moms Who Gather

March 6, 2015 by jstults 4 Comments

I felt so lonely when we first moved.

New pastor’s wife to a new community, a small community.

None of my usual comforts nearby. No church friends. No work-out buddy. No library with an awesome children’s section. No new YMCA with its handy child-watch room. No Wal-mart for last-minute needs.

Hardest of all, no family.

And I needed a way to connect, to meet some like-minded women, to make friends, especially mama friends.

So, without really knowing what I was doing, I started a group for moms.  The first year was hardest. I felt so inadequate and out of my element, a leader who didn’t really trust she should be a leader just yet.  But the Father kept encouraging, keep at it.

The second year our group actually fizzled out. I didn’t know what to do, how to “fix” it. So, I cried out for help.

The loneliness returned and I despaired.

Moms Who Gather, simple fellowship, sweet fellowship, moving, loneliness, friendship

Then a neighbor invited me to join a group of women who were going to clean up the community parks.  We spent the summer scraping paint, picking up trash, using our shovels, and dreaming up grand plans.  With sweat on our brows, we chatted and laughed, stopping here and there to calm a needy child or give some correction.  They became friends to me, these volunteers, these giving women.

So that Fall, I decided to try once more for that space I wanted, a space to just be real with some mama friends – no need for makeup or jewelry, clean houses or nice clothes. Just some adult conversation in a comfortable place – an informal gathering for an informal crew.

Now we gather, almost every week.

We aren’t many, but the fellowship is sweet. We talk of babies and toddlers, problems at school and problems at home. We talk of husbands we love and house chores we hate. We even talk politics sometimes. No subject is off-limits.

And lately we talk an awful lot about Jesus, too.

It’s so simple, yet so much more than I planned from the start because it came from Him, these gifts -my friends, my people.

We gather,

and He blesses every time.

Jen 🙂

I’m joining back up with the Five Minute Friday group this week after a looooong absence, and boy do I feel rusty!  If you’re new around here, FMF is when a large group of us free-write on a one-word prompt for only five minutes (well, some of us are known to stretch the rules a little) – no planning, no editing, no stressing. 🙂  If you want, come join us over at Kate Motaung’s place!

Also sharing with:

Grace and Truth

Filed Under: Christianity, Uncategorized, Women of Faith Tagged With: Christ-centered living, Christian Women, Encouragement, Fellowship, Five Minute Friday, friends, Gather

Comments

  1. Mollie Hardman says

    March 6, 2015 at 03:48

    That is amazing! I am so glad you found your people! I sometimes feel like I am still looking for mine. It’s a great encouragement to read your story! Blessings!

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 6, 2015 at 04:00

      It’s hard, isn’t it Mollie? I mean, it took 3 looong years. 🙂 And we’re still building those friendships, but at least I have people I can count on again (that are nearby, that is). Honestly, it was all God because my own efforts certainly didn’t get very far. Lord, help Mollie to find people to be authentic with, Amen!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  2. Arabah says

    March 11, 2015 at 07:51

    Thanks for your vulnerability and for the HOPE in this post. I think many of us feel that loneliness and yes, we need to be persistent. Easier said than done LOL. Good job for sticking with it! Visiting from Grace and Truth 🙂

    Reply
    • admin says

      March 11, 2015 at 10:08

      Hi, Arabah! Yes, it’s definitely hard to be persistent, especially when you aren’t naturally outgoing (at least not in new situations). I’m thankful the Lord heard my prayers and provided for me in this way!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

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