"A Sweet Friendship Refreshes the Soul."

This day comes twice a year...the day after Women's Bible study at our church has ended. I do not like it! Reality is setting in, as I sit down to do my quiet time, that I will no longer be seeing my sweet sisters every Tuesday morning. I will no longer be able to share in the excitement of our weekly homework lessons.  I will not be getting those weekly embraces from my sweet friends. What's a girl to do?! I guess I'll be thankful for and reflect on the last 13 weeks with these women.    The title of my post comes from Proverbs 27:9.  I looked up several versions of this verse and they are all truly "sweet!"  The version from the Message Bible is, "Just as lotions and fragrance gives sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul."  But of all that I looked through I think the NIV speaks to what our group experienced this semester: "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice." I love it! Except, I think I want to replace advice from NIV with counsel from the ESV! I was not only blessed to be a part of a small group of women, but also a part of the leadership group of amazing women! When I was asked to be a co-facilitator this semester I was a little nervous because of having a new baby. I knew I was going to be going to Bible study, but I really didn't know if I should commit to doing leadership, as we meet early for prayer. Having three littles to get out the door so early was going to be a bigger task! I told Denise that I would do it but I wasn't sure I would be able to make it every Tuesday by 8:30 for prayer.  She was obviously very understanding. The Lord is so good because I made it to every prayer meeting except one (and that one was because I was sitting in traffic for an hour due to an accident!!!).  I made sure to make it by 8:30 because I did not want to miss that sweet time with the group of ladies who were becoming like family to me.  That small group was such a blessing...we came to each other with really tough things and we came to each other with some things we could even laugh about but still wanted prayer for! Everything was taken to the Lord in prayer. Everything. There were times when one of us would break down in tears and were immediately surrounded & embraced, and praying the sweetest prayers for our broken sisters, myself included. There is honestly nothing sweeter to me than being surrounded by sisters in Christ, locked in embraces, and feeling hands on my shoulders and back and feeling the love and concern that these women had for me.  The tears were flowing but the prayers flowing even more! The wisdom and godly counsel that came from that group was amazing. I am truly BLESSED beyond measure!

   Andrea and I had the great privilege of being with a small group of such sweet, amazing women.  One of the things I love about women's bible study at my church is the different generations getting together.  Those of us who are in the trenches of mommy hood with babies and terrible twos (heck, terrible 3's!!) and diapers, and never-ending laundry, and the never-ending struggle with feelings of wanting to be the perfect wives and mothers are surrounded by those women who have been through all of it and encourage us.  Because of the different ages being able to study together you have those that are in the same stages of life that help you feel like you're not alone- "Oh, you too? You feel like that too?!" That is really encouraging to me- I'm not crazy!! And I love being surrounded by the "mature" women. Women who become like spiritual mommas and grandmas! Our small group was AWESOME!!! There were tears but there were also so many laughs!! We were challenged and encouraged by each other. We got to hear of God-encounters! We saw answered prayer. We saw spiritual growth. We embraced one another and became a group of sisters who felt comfortable sharing our concerns and our short-comings, our fears and our failures, our joys and triumphs. I believe we all grew in our faith.  Every single lady in that room has a special place in my heart. New friendships were formed! There's no mistake that God puts each group together! These reasons are why my friendships are so sweet and that each Tuesday they "refreshed my soul!" 

My sweet friends and sisters! Missing our one and only Miss Gaylan!

   We did two studies this semester: Gideon (Priscilla Shirer) and The Kingdom Agenda (Tony Evan).  Both were great but, by talking to others, Kingdom Agenda really hit us in the middle of the eyes! Tony Evans doesn't mince words! Every week there was conviction, encouragement to make changes to be a Kingdom woman to enhance His Kingdom. Every single thing I do should be with His

Kingdom in mind. If I say I'm a Christian, it better show. Every person I meet should know that I am a Christ follower. That His ways, His plans, His purposes are far more important than anything I have planned. Fearing God means just that. His ways are higher, His plans are higher and we seek that. Is it easy? No way! Are there trials? Of course! But our God is greater and more powerful than any trial. The question is, do we trust Him in this storm? Do we give him our greatest even at our lowest point? Do we trust Him with our kids? Do we trust Him with our marriage? Do we trust Him with our jobs? When we are on the hilltops and things are going great, do we forget Him and what He did for us? Do we believe He is who He says He is? He can do what He says He can do? Now more than ever we have to know what we believe and why we believe it. In the first video session of Gideon, Priscilla talks of approaching a friend with a question of passion for God: "How are you so passionate about God?" Her friend's response? "I've seen God do too much to not be passionate about Him." I really thought about that. It's so true!!! In my own life God has been so real- in big ways and small ways. I've had amazing God encounters and I've had sweet little answers that God has answered in amazing, fun ways! I've seen God do so much in the lives of my friends and family. It really is true! I should be bursting at the seems with a passion for God!!!! That's one of the things I'm taking away with me. Praying each day for more passion. Praying that my passion for Christ can encourage others. Praying for passion even in a storm. I pray that those who read this know and experience Christ in their lives. If you don't, please send me a message so I can share with you! You are the daughter or son of a King! Embrace it! Open yourself up to Him!

 He loves you!