Meeting New Friends … is nerve wrecking…

A couple years ago I stumbled across Pursuit Community – a group for women in creative industries – founded by Karen Stott of Intentional Home.  Since becoming a part of this community of women on Facebook, I have made some amazing social networking connections.  There are several small groups within the large community of women – safe places to come to fellowship with other women of God.  I have also made a few wonderful friendships – women I know that I can call on at any hour to just stop what they are doing and cover my family in prayer.  Granted, majority of these ladies I am speaking of I have never even met in person, insane, right?!  (Although, I must say, I have met one friend whom I will cherish forever through Pursuit, she photographed Nate’s birth & has photographed our family since – I seriously thank God for putting her in my life – I consider her one of my closest and dearest friends. – all thanks to this amazing group!) Up until last night, I had not had the opportunity to meet any more of these amazing women in person!  Long story made short – we finally had a “local” small group, I think most of us traveled around an hour to meet, give or take.  I had been sick all day – pregnancy sick & randomly at 25 weeks….. really?! But, anywho, I was so nauseous and tired and almost did not go to our small group’s very first meet up.  Well, Satan, yeah, I am calling you out, You lost.  I am so thankful that God kept pressing on my heart that I needed to go to this meet up.   Now let me tell you, on the hour ride there Satan really tired to convince me to just turn around and go home – or get there and drop off my goodies I was bringing for our outreach and leave “I needed rest.” “Will these women really stay your friends?” “Will you really even connect?” “Your job is to be mommy, you need to be at home” “how selfish of you to go and have 4+ hours to yourself, while leaving Tom at home with the boys!”…. and they kept coming.  Well, I denied Satan’s pressing these thoughts into my mind & cranked up the worship music [well, not too loud, bc I had to hear the gps].  God blessed my heart and used the second half of my drive to prepare my heart for meeting these women – what a waste it was arguing with Satan the first half – you’d think we’d learn to give it to God right away and soak in what He has for us to hear, but alas, I’m only human – a mere sinner, just like you.  I am SO very glad that I was able to go & meet my new friends!  What I didn’t expect, was that I got that “rest” I needed.  My soul needed this fellowship with other women who give Him the glory.  My heart was aching for these women to be in my life, and I was completely unaware.  My children and husband survived just fine without me – the boys were even asleep in their beds when I got home – they’d been fed and bathed and loved for and on and played with – they truly have the BEST daddy in the world, maybe I am bias, but I couldn’t imagine a day without him. We snacked on the yummy goodies everyone brought, sipped on hot cocoa, and had wonderful God-filled fellowship.  We got to know each others’ hearts – it wasn’t a meeting where people tell you what you may want to hear, or tell stories to be entertaining – we all shared from our hearts.  It was as if we had been in this small group for months, years even, and we knew we were safe and we could just be ourselves.  I am already looking forward to our gathering next month.  What a true blessing God gave us all – and on a Tuesday night! So, Thank you, Karen, for stepping out on faith – that only God can fill.  And, Lauren, I am SO glad God forced us together 😉 Lucy knew what God knew – we’d be friends in the quickest of heartbeats.  You speak to my soul, sister.  Today, I am giving God the glory for sending soul sisters into my life.  Making girl friends doesn’t always come easy – in fact, it’s hard – but with God, it was easy, I just let Him do it & He more than provided.  We need fellowship with other believers – specifically of the same sex – it is so important for our survival and if we are to thrive as believers.  We are meant to hold one another accountable, to be there to lift each other up and to encourage one another.  We are meant to just be there for one another – to give God the glory – to be support for each other.

Jessica’s husband surfaced and took a couple of group pictures for all of us before the night ended! 🙂 Meet my new friends ❤

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I pray that if you’re seeking for fellowship with other creatives – that you are able to find it here.

Also – Instagram Links:  Pursuit Community, Intentional Home, ByGracetheWallaces

It’s no coincidence that my verse for this week is: