I had been
running Lenten and Advent bible studies at my home for a couple years and last
Christmas some of my friends decided that it would be awesome if we could
rotate host homes. This Lent my friend
has been leading our small faith sharing group at her home- and I must say it’s
nice to be the guest (smile). The chats
that we have while exploring scripture are really profound- just full of
substance. These deep conversations and
moments together have helped us build strong bonds and to get to know each
other in ways that without Christ takes years (if it ever really happens). I often hear people comment on how once they
started really living out their faith they lost many of their friends- my
experience has been the opposite, since my conversion my friends have
multiplied. My non-Christian friends
have been awesome and supportive in my new found journey, and though at times I
do feel a little pressure to digress (in the drinking and partying side) my
friends motivate me to continue living a life modeled after Jesus. I shared with Father this dilemma- about
sometimes feeling like I need to drink and play the fool to relate to my old acquaintances
and his solution was to hang out with godly friends more often so that when I
am out in the secular world I am encouraged by my tight faith circle to be the
light of the world. These small faith sharing
groups really help me because all of the girls that gather want a greater
spiritual life, to know God more intimately and strive for holiness. We learn a
great deal from each other’s testimony- especially as we open up about our
struggles trying to live out our faith- and we pray together for the needs that
each of us have. These bible studies
truly are a blessing! I encourage you to
get involved in a small faith sharing group or to start one in your home. Growing in your faith with others truly is a
blessing that will inspire and rejuvenate your relationship with God- and will also bless you with other people who want the best for you.
Am very
blessed because God has given me so many great people – especially women to
walk towards Him in unison. When I am
down, they cheer me on. When I am
hurting over a heart ache they motivate me to not give in to self-pity. When I am tired and hopeless they encourage
me. When I am closed off they don’t let
me get away with superficial answers to questions, but dig deep until they know
what’s really going on in my life. When
I am struggling with sin they hold me accountable. When I don’t want to talk they wait until I
am ready to share. When I am confused
they offer godly council and they understand me in ways many don’t. But most importantly they pray with me and
for me- AND they genuinely love me EVEN with all of my baggage and all of my
weaknesses… Life is hard, but when you
have a strong core group of people who share your faith- you realize that we
were made to live in community that in order to reach sanctity we need each
other. I often think that God has given
me so many friends because He knows how needy I am – and with the number of
friends I have, He is able to spread the burden of me among many shoulders
(smile). I guess it takes a village to
keep me sane (smile)!
Our personal Lenten intentions to grow in.
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