Several years ago we moved to a new city; and because I was pregnant at the time, I reasoned that it would be too hard to reach out and make (or find) friends in my new city. This was a big mistake! With some God intervention and common sense, I finally joined a community—some were military friends and some were in our church life group. Friendships began to develop slowly but surely, as they often do. But little did I know how important having those friendships in that community would be for me.
One night, while my husband was away, I felt like I was going to collapse and quickly grabbed the phone. Lying on the bathroom floor, I called my newly made neighbor friend. She came over quickly, and I called another friend from my church life group to come watch the kids while my neighbor took me to the night clinic. There is nothing like getting to know your neighbor when you are nauseous, weak and dizzy. I considered it bonding time. 🙂
The next morning I thought all would be fine, and I drove my daughter across town to school; but the tiredness hit, and I was literally sitting in the car with my crying baby and knew I could not drive. God moved on my heart to call another new friend who lived around the block, but I only told her what was going on and not that I needed any help. Let’s just say I wasn’t thinking straight.
Well, the phone lost connection and I just sat there in my car helpless and praying for God to help me. Minutes later, I saw my friend’s husband walking to my car. Thank God! He drove us to their house, and she opened her home to me and my kids for the better part of two days. Even though she was a new friend, she was so warm and friendly. I will never forget how, in her lovely French accent, she offered me a “quasohn” (croissant) to eat. Of course! How lovely—I’ll take it! It fed my body, and soul too.
Another couple in my church life group offered to pick my daughter up from school and take her on a playdate. They helped me so much, and we played musical cars and carseats for the next few days.
God strategically placed those six people in my community, and He helped me through their willingness and kindness. Six people! That still amazes me. I hadn’t even known them for very long, but sometimes, that just doesn’t matter. People are people and lives are lives.
Being a part of a community, whether it be a work group, church group, school group, neighbors or family, we all need encouragement and a boost of faith at times, or perhaps an open house and a croissant.
Sticking in a community will help you not be that lone sheep out in the pasture by themselves and an easy target for the devil. Together, as a team, we can stand firm in our faith and trust God in the good times and in the bad.
I encourage you to have some Christian friends who think similarly to you and your beliefs. 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”
When you need prayer and things are tough in life, who do you go to? You want to have friends that are willing to pray with and for you and visa versa. Life can get hard and bumpy, and none of us are immune.
I will never forget that experience and how God truly provided for me, through the people He had put in my life during that time. God knew before I ever did what I would need; and He helped me before I ever needed the help, by placing these people in my life.
Are you in a community? Does your church have small groups or maybe a class where you could begin building friendships? If you are married, pray with your spouse and consider joining sooner than later. Don’t have time? Making the time will help feed your spirit and soul. Need a church? I actually found our current awesome church on Yelp when we first moved here!
For everyone that I have ever been in a community with – Thank you! Thanks for walking with me in the good times and in the bumpy! And special thanks to my 6: Maureen, Lauren, Valerie, Cliff, Daniel and Annie!!!
If this touched you, please forward it to your friends, and comment below.
Be Blessed and be a Blessing!
