Hebrews 10:24-25
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
I shared part of this post on social media last Thursday and thought it was worth reposting here, with a few more thoughts added to it.
One of the first things I did within the first few months of moving to a completely new town last year was find a women’s small group. I have pretty consistently been in a small group since they became a “thing” – if you can even call it that!
My first memory of small group was in college. Two women (married with multiple children) who were a little older than us in college, Sarah and Kristi, took time out of their busy lives each week to invest in a group of us college women. I have the best memories from those nights of studying the bible and being in community with other women. Especially now that I am older because of how committed they were to taking time away from their busy lives of working, being moms themselves, and taking care of their own families.
Since then, small groups have held an important place in my heart. I am hugely introverted. It hasn’t always been easy for me to be vulnerable and have deep conversation with others when I’m not feeling it, but for whatever reason I have always found comfort and a peace about spending time with others in a small group that all come together for the same mission, to love one another as Christ loves us.
I have sought to stay in a small group in some capacity when life allowed for it. Some of my life’s circumstances have caused me to have to take a break from it, but I eventually find my way back, longing for community and support that a small group brings. When my family moved last year, I was very hesitant to find another group because I just loved what I had in my old city. I was confident that I wasn’t going to find the same thing here, in my new city. But I did and it has been a wonderful experience, exactly what I need right now in my current life of crazy. Different than I’ve ever experienced before, but beautiful nonetheless.
Now, to my story of what happened last Wednesday night. I just have to tell you about it. My small group was running a little late, so I was outside playing with Steven and John. While we were waiting, quite a few of my neighbors starting walking down our street, rarely anyone does because it’s not a big street, to go to their small group at my neighbor’s home right across from mine. It was so wonderful to hug necks of women I don’t see everyday but know and to also know that even though we were in two different groups last night, we were still all doing it with one purpose. Women supporting other women through life’s inevitable wild, unexpected and crazy ride and seeking God in the midst of it. Seriously y’all, how cool! Wednesday’s are my favorite night of the week because of this… seeing a cul de sac full of cars and 20+ women gathering to support each other, love on each other, and seek God in the midst of it all. How cool!
Girls, Mamas, Ladies, Friends, Sisters – we allNEED each other!
I’m determined to write a little blog series about this topic this week because it’s so near and dear to my heart. Stay tuned… more posts coming soon!
P.S. I’ll leave you with these 4… a few “small groups” from college, post college, and now.
Carly Wisnewski 