Community is a Necessity

Necessity is defined as an indispensable thing; essential; necessary. 

I recently started a Bible study on Tuesday nights and it has been life changing. For me. For the ladies. It is a necessity as a Christian. As a woman. As a mom. We were created for fellowship. We yearn for it and when we find like-minded friends it truly is a gift. The reason I started the Tuesday group was the same as last summer...needing refreshment. There is something unique and special each time a group of people gather together in the name of Jesus.

He promises, 

For where two or three have gathered together

 in My name, I am there in their midst.

- Matthew 18:20

As a mom it can be so difficult to get out to a Bible study. I found the top 10 reasons, we don't join a group, from this site: 

http://www.womensbiblecafe.com/2009/11/10-reasons-not-to-join-a-bible-study/

See if any of these ring true for you...

1. You’re too busy. Satan likes a busy woman because those distractions will keep you away from God.
2. You’re afraid of quitting. Not believing in yourself is an advantage for the enemy, he wants you to doubt your strength.
3. Past failure. You tried a Bible Study, got behind and felt guilty. Right, just like the time you got on a bike, fell off, and never rode a bike again.
4. Homework, yuk! Asking your children to do homework and then not doing it yourself…Satan just loves this.
5. No time in my day. We waste time learning from TV and we don’t give our time to God by reading the Bible.
6. My house is noisy. Getting up early is not easy, after the first day. Once you find alone time, you’re value it more than anything else in your day.
7. I have to work. Making money is important, but worshiping money, instead of spending time with God, is not. Get up early or read at lunchtime.
8. It’s too expensive. The online study is free, the book is inexpensive. Use your money for coffee drinks, or for God?
9. The commitment is too long. Being scared is something Satan has instilled in your heart and he wins, not God.
10. The “Holidays” are coming. There will always be a holiday, a Spring Break, Christmas Season or family vacation. While these events are short lived, bible study is a six to ten week commitment of reading God’s Word. His Word in your heart is eternal.

Do any of these have your name on it??

I cannot stress how important and life giving small group Bible study is. I have made some of my best friends through it. Gleaned much and been challenged by others to live more like Christ. I have a group to share my struggles with and the praise reports as well! A community who commits to pray for me which allows for transparency leading to ministry. 

Do you have a group like this? 

If not, pray and press on. Find one. Get involved in this life changing mission and allow the Lord to stretch you. As a mom, community is a necessity. It is essential. We have those moments we feel like a failure and need reassurance we are not! It will allow you to be refreshed. Coming home after -ready to face the rest of the week - with the right perspective. You will be a better mom, wife, and friend because of it. Just do it!

Get Out & Breathe

Today was refreshing. It was one I will remember for a long time. I went to a playdate organized to celebrate my son's 7th birthday. The kids ate lunch, played, splashed in the water pad, laughed and reminded me of how important it is to get out. This outing allowed my kids the joy of being around other kids and gave me the blessing of having fellowship with other moms.

Today's time highlighted the fact that I have been in a rut. A rut that lasted a year. It was a time when I resisted playdates and was worried what "new friends" in my new town might think of my son who struggles. Other kids struggle too, but if I am cooped up in my house without playdates I don't recognize that. Fear held me back from experiencing new friendships, both for me and my kiddos.

But that's going to change. I need to push through my fear, and make new friends. I need to pray for special and understanding friends for both my kids and me too! I need to get out there. Join that local moms Bible study. Make a phone call and initiate a play date without fear of what they may think of my child. It's healthy. It's necessary to survive ...in motherhood :) It's community...and what we were made for.

What fear is holding you back?

Set a goal to overcome that fear. Follow through. Celebrate even the little milestones you overcome!

Fellowship is good. Playdates are healthy. Community is necessary. Just do it! Get out & breathe.

Going All Out

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to your children after them. Deuteronomy 4:9

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 6:7

I love holidays! They are a great excuse to celebrate big—make food, hang out with friends and family, travel, go on vacation, etc. Most kids like holidays too because they indicate that something special is about to happen--they are getting ready to be a part of something great. Holidays provide a great way for us to break away from the routine. Well, with Easter (or Resurrection Sunday) just around the corner, we as moms are presented with another opportunity to celebrate Christ’s love with our kids.

Easter is such a beautiful holiday, but it can be difficult to explain its true meaning to a young child. However, I would encourage each of us (including myself) to pray about and follow through with a way to share the Easter story with your children in a way that is applicable and appropriate for their age. Let’s not waste this holiday on simply eggs, chocolate, bunnies, and baskets. Those things are fun, but let’s remember what the focus of our celebration is.

A few weeks ago at Mom to Mom, Linda Anderson shared a few tips with us mommas about passing on the legacy of faith and building belonging within our family. She was not merely talking about Easter, but about celebrations in general. Here are a few points she mentioned:

1. Keep it simple.
2. Remember that the process is more important than the end product. Involve your kids in the process (crafts, cooking, service projects, etc.) instead of keeping them occupied and out of the way.
3. Focus on creating family memories as opposed to people-pleasing.
4. Include others—create a contagious, fun Christian community that other people are delighted to be a part of.
5. Celebrate everyday “God sightings”.
6. Ask yourself: What’s the focus of our celebrations, and are they fun?

I know this blog may seem a bit premature, but I would encourage you to be thinking of ways you can prepare your child’s heart for Easter/Resurrection Sunday so that it is a joyous and memorable holiday for your family. We put so much preparation and emphasis into Christmas, and the excitement over it is extremely contagious. Let’s do the same for Easter! I would encourage you to leave any ideas and suggestions on sharing the Easter story and celebrating with your children in the comments below. Some of us mommas could really use some good ideas (i.e. me). :)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we thank you so much that there is a season for everything. Thank you for this Easter season that reminds of us the incredible price you paid so that we could be clean and close to you. Help us share the beauty of what you did on the cross in a way that captures the hearts and minds of even our youngest kids without scaring them. Give us fresh insight and revelation on how we can “let the little children come to you”. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.