Last night, I attended my Home Group. For those of you who aren't sure what that is, it is a group of friends, old, new, and future, who come together regularly for spending time together. It is a dynamic of "church"...it is "church". At my group, we eat dinner, we talk over the message from the week before, delve into deeper Bible Study, and exchange prayer requests. I am fairly new to this group, but I have to say they have embraced me and loved me. I feel so at home with them and feel like I have known them for years.
What I enjoyed about last night is that I kept thinking of a friend...a very new believer friend....who I wished was there. She was planning on coming, but it didn't work out for her this week. I will keep praying because I know that she would be so encouraged, and also very challenged to grow in her young relationship with God in this group. It is a blessing and a privilege to be part of a group where I am not embarrassed or ashamed to bring my friend, who is new in her walk with Christ, to a meeting of fellow Christians. I know that she will be accepted exactly where she is and not judged. I know that what is discussed is authentic and real and that she will relate.
So, I know God is pleased. I know He is pleased with my Home Group. I am pleased because it is "church" the way I think He wants it to be. I am so happy to be part of this group. They are great ladies, who love God, who accept and exhort and who study and pray. Fun stuff because it is a mixed group of women, nearly 20 year age span, married, divorced, widowed, and from many walks of life. I feel "part".
I rejoice at the wonderful, faithful way that God answers prayer. I prayed for a group just like this! What does He do? He answers. I can't wait to see what else He plans!
Can I say again, I love my church? I am so glad that I love my church! And I am even happier that people who don't like church, also love my church because they are learning how to love my God! Isn't that what it's all about?
What I enjoyed about last night is that I kept thinking of a friend...a very new believer friend....who I wished was there. She was planning on coming, but it didn't work out for her this week. I will keep praying because I know that she would be so encouraged, and also very challenged to grow in her young relationship with God in this group. It is a blessing and a privilege to be part of a group where I am not embarrassed or ashamed to bring my friend, who is new in her walk with Christ, to a meeting of fellow Christians. I know that she will be accepted exactly where she is and not judged. I know that what is discussed is authentic and real and that she will relate.
So, I know God is pleased. I know He is pleased with my Home Group. I am pleased because it is "church" the way I think He wants it to be. I am so happy to be part of this group. They are great ladies, who love God, who accept and exhort and who study and pray. Fun stuff because it is a mixed group of women, nearly 20 year age span, married, divorced, widowed, and from many walks of life. I feel "part".
I rejoice at the wonderful, faithful way that God answers prayer. I prayed for a group just like this! What does He do? He answers. I can't wait to see what else He plans!
Can I say again, I love my church? I am so glad that I love my church! And I am even happier that people who don't like church, also love my church because they are learning how to love my God! Isn't that what it's all about?
Comments