Labor of Love

I Corinthians 15:58 NIV Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

For the last 9 months or so, I’ve had the pleasure of hosting a small group fellowship in my home with four very special friends God handpicked. The calling came one night; I believe the eve of Good Friday. Engaged in an on-line conversation with a classmate from high school, she personal-messaged me on Facebook determined to share her newly discovered faith, her recognition and filling of the Holy Spirit in her life. It seems she found me to be a “spiritual one” on her Facebook and felt comfortable enough and excited enough to want to talk with someone, anyone who seemed to know, have insight on “knowing” the Lord. She thought that I would “get it!” Bursting to talk about the Lord and all He was doing and revealing to her in life, nobody around her seemed to share her enthusiasm.  I got it, and we typed back and forth while God slowly whispered to me to continue this dialog up close and in person.

“Start a small group,” I heard Him say. “Trust me.”

Conceived in the next few days, W.O.R.D.: Woman of Righteous Determination, began forming in the womb of obedience. Two other sisters I invited in faith arrived on time and our “play dates” with the Lord and each other began to take place, late Tuesday afternoons. 

Two teachers, one elementary and one junior high, a business owner and myself.  Two divorced, one married, in a blended family.

Together, 9 adult children prayed over.

We all attend different churches.

We’ve all had extreme experiences in life.

We all love the Lord and want more of Him. 

We all share a womb-story, a birth story, growing pain story, and a healing story.

The Holy Spirit moved; me, their only common denominator.

Well, no I wasn’t.

Our Father, God, the Creator.

We laughed. We cried. The transparency of trust guided us into relationship-fellowship that I believe was truly Holy at times.  To say we bonded is an understatement.

After a few months, God brought another young lady back into my life. We worked together years ago. Catching up in a parking lot one summer afternoon, God stood with us, bringing back all that He does when we begin to speak of His greatness in our life.

She would join us.

Natural

Adopted in.

Accepted

Loved

Ministry happened. God moved in conversation. Powerful! 

2014 brings change, new commitments and challenges.

New blessings and opportunities.

 I will continue to pray for this group of woman who speak boldly, love deeply and serve each other tenderly in word and deed.

Celebrating Thanksgiving together. 

I will pray for His direction for W.O.R.D.

Tonight while getting my hair done, a circle of 3 other woman sat around in various stages of beautification, a few of us under the drier, a few getting treatments, etc. They seemed to know each other…maybe.

They were sharing about the Lord, his provision, their Holy Spirit moments, inspiring one another, quoting scripture to each other, and sharing a miracle--a sister moment. I never said a word, just smiling and slowly nodding my head under the drier, in an Amen from my heart of hearts—“sisterhood styling!”

I got it!

I have it!

It’s how He works!  In community with each other, in fellowship with each other, in SHARING our foibles, our flesh moments and our Aah-Ha, I got it God moments! 

He is glorified! We are blessed!  Beauty Queens! 

I long to be a part of loving and conceiving.

Giving birth and even letting go.

Butterflies show up.

Always. 

 Father God, I love you. You show me Your love in such amazing ways.  You continue to direct me to so many new and exciting opportunities. You surround me constantly in everything I do with the most amazing people, True Believers, even strangers who speak boldly of Your goodness in the salon tonight.  Thank you. I wait for the positive result of continued obedience while growing in this new season. I pray for the opportunity to be a part of something bigger, to share and develop Your Hope in others. I am ministered to, too. Thank You for feeding me in the sweet milk of Your Word. Guide me through every contraction in my labor of love, a child longing to bring You glory. Amen.