Jumping In

The last couple of months can be described as a season of loss for us. The death of husbands father, Sweet Lady's move, which meant we wouldn't be seeing some of our favorite staff members or residents any longer, our children's move out of state and the couple that led our small group stepped down from leading our group which meant there was a very real possibility that our small group would dissolve and move into other small groups in the church. Changing groups is not a bad thing. Over the years we have been part of several different care groups, it has given us the opportunity to get to know many different people. This group though, has been very special to us and several close relationships had developed. We have "lived" a lot of life with this group.

Change can be good thing, and maybe it was time for us to move on, but there was a real desire from those in the group to continue, as a flurry of emails would indicate. Several people spoke to one of the pastors as well and it was agreed, keeping the group intact would be a priority. I'll admit it, I was upset at the thought of moving into another group...I just didn't know if I was up to telling "my story" all over again

Why does this group work so well? I'm really not sure. We are a group of young couples with babies and young children, singles and older couples with grown children. The group has changed over the years as people have left and new ones were added but the one thing that has always remained constant was the groups desire for maturity in faith and servants hearts. There is a lot caring going on in this group both spiritually and practically, we have benefited from both.

After a lot of prayer, discussions with the pastor and our old care group leader, my husband agreed to lead the group. After the summer we have had, I never saw this one coming. Our lives are messy, some days are still very difficult, and my husband and I are trying to figure out what life is suppose to look like with all the changes that have occurred. I could give you several other reasons why we shouldn't be doing this....did I mention our lives were messy. 

Apparently having "messy lives" works in our favor, so does not feeling adequate. The thing is, it's not about us at all but what the Lord can do through us, if we are willing. 

So that's our new venture, we are having a small group in our home with my husband leading. My friend (who was our old care group leaders wife) told me there was nothing to it. "All you have to do is be willing to open up your home and care for people, God will do the rest" 

Okay Lord we are willing, we are trusting that you will do the rest.