Community
I have been in the same community group (through Grace Community Church), for about 2 years. I can't begin to convey what a blessing it has been to do life with such an amazing group of people, but I will try....
If you know me, and I am sure you do if you are reading this, then you know that I spent 3.5 years living with my best friends in college. Then I lived at home with my family, who I love and really love living with. (You know, some people say, "I could never go back and live with me parents!!" Well, I could and be totally happy.) Then I got married. Then I moved to Clarksville, then Zach deployed, and then I was alone - more alone than I had ever been in my life. AND THEN, I joined a community group (we'll just say CG from here out). It was awkward and lonely at first. It was my first time being in a Bible study as a married woman and I was there without my husband, and my first time being in a co-ed group. But, being in this CG clicked. It was such a God thing. My friends in CG made Clarksville feel like home.
So, the first year of being in this group, Zach was deployed. I can remember one of his first times coming to CG - it was our Christmas party and by this point we were all very comfortable with each other. I was so nervous, because Zach was new and I didn't want him to feel like an outsider...Ya'll, the guys in the group totally welcomed him, hung out with him outside of our meetings, and made him feel included. Seeing the difference of this past Christmas party compared to his first was such a blessing...
The deal with CG's at my church is that we join new groups after so much time. For the past few months I have been DREADING the "break-up" of our group because they are my friends, my family. I practically lead a revolt against the ending of our CG (sorry about that Ben!) So, tonight was our last night meeting (officially) and I was so sure I'd cry and get upset. I didn't. But I did cry because I was laughing so hard. And that pretty much sums it up.
God is so faithful, He is my Provider and Sustainer, and I can't wait to see how He moves in the next CG I get to be apart of. I pray that you too have found people to do life with. Don't give up if you haven't, I know the Lord will provide for you as He has for me.
posted by Steph @ 7:56 PM
2 Comments:
I was in a cell group, that is what they called it at our church, and I loved it. My husband and I even went to Nashville to train on how to become a cell group leader. When the end came for our group, we didn't want it to and it almost felt like a death but like you said God is faithful and what is taken away can be replaced with something so much better, though I couldn't never imagine anything better than what we had.
Groups are about growing in Christ and each other. The most important is growing in Christ. Where one group was the seed, the next is the water, the next a harvest, etc... I am starting a woman's group, it is in the beginning stages for encouraging women. Check out my website, diariesofafruitcake.com and go to F.R.I.T.S.
Blessings to you and yours! Happy New Year
Great stuff, Steph! I'm so glad to have been in group with you and Zach. Last night was bittersweet...I hated that the group was over, but was convinced that it was the right thing to do. Topping the night off by laughing until it hurt really was fitting.
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