This fall, God has grown my perspective of His Body like never before, and I’ve got to tell you …
The Body of Christ is an amazing thing!
While interacting with hundreds of ladies through A Meaningful Christmas this year, I have been blown away by how encouraging and kind and humble and gracious you all are. At one point, I called Brittney (my partner in A Meaningful Christmas) and told her, “I want to be friends with these ladies!” Who? All of you. You, who love Jesus and want to point your children to Him! I can see it all over your words in email – and yes – even on Facebook. Can you imagine us meeting for coffee somewhere just to chat? I don’t know how we’d all manage to get away without all the kids, but what a blast it would be if we did!
There are others of you who have reached out to me as your group has prepared to go through The Wardrobe of Christ. Can I just tell you – it thrills me to no end when you tell me your names and ask if I’ll pray for you while you work through the study. Are you kidding? Yes, please! We are bonded, you and I, as we pray and dig into the Word together. You make me want to know Him more and I love that about you!
Brittney and I had an opportunity in November to meet with some of you face-to-face when we spoke at a MOPS group across town. In just a couple of hours, after crafting (we made scarves out of t-shirts – so fun!), eating, talking, laughing and sharing ideas about how we teach our kids to apply God’s truth everyday, I walked out of that church with a few more friends. It made me want to speak more so that I could see your faces – so that I could see Jesus in YOU!
You see, what I’m learning is how much we really need each other. We need community.
We need the up-close kind of community that lives near us and knows too much – the kind we do life with. These friends are the ones who we let see our messy lives and unclean houses. They’re comfortable enough to wipe our kids noses when they’re runny and smack us around when we’re in a funk. They can tell us when we’re being prideful or bossy, and we love them more for it because we need them.
But I think we also need a view of the greater community – the ones just outside our reach. These friends are the ones who remind that we aren’t alone. They remind us that there’s someone else out there whose been down this same road (the same trouble, the same temptation, the same trial) and survived. We may have never talked in person but I know you because we both know Jesus, and that’s enough. I find great encouragement and peace in knowing that there are other moms out there who are living to pass down a legacy of faith to the next generation. There are other women out there who are after the heart of God over all other things.
And because of that, we are bonded forever.
We are the Body of Christ.
And His Body is an amazing thing!
I was probably your first order for AMC this year, I got invited to a party last year, misplaced the email, and time was up and my friend had her 24 girls in place. This year, I got my 24 girls rounded up in October and we started making our ornaments. Of course I knew each and every girl, but some of them were complete strangers. God showed me that even though everyone didn't know each other, we all had one, common, unified goal…to teach our children about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. I know you and I don't know each other, but I think we live in the same area. From mom to mom, thank you again for being obedient and following through with what the Spirit laid on your heart.
Thank you, Lisa!
What is a meaningful Christmas? Stumbled across this through a friend – is there a brochure or something? Might want to plan to do next year!! Can email me at johnryanandtami@yahoo.ca
hey Anonymous … I tried to email you but it wouldn't go through. If you'd like more info., please email us at ameaningfulchristmas@yahoo.com.
thanks!!