This fall I hosted a bible study in my home. I’ve done this off and on for years and years. There’s just something about the gathering of women and studying of God’s Word—it’s always a special time!
The study was by Megan Fate Marshman—Relaxed: Walking with the One Who is Not Worried About a Thing. We studied and applied Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways, submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.”
There were so many practical truths and personal ways to apply them. Even this morning I used one of our new ways of processing my heart in prayer by drawing a heart in the middle of the journal page and then on each spoke coming from the heart, I wrote down all that was on my heart. It could be anything at all; this morning my heart was filled with some concerns for people in my family, projects I have on my mind, and a personal issue I need clarity on. After the heart dump, I went around the spokes and asked God if there was anything He wanted to tell me. I was reminded of the truth that He created my kids and He loves them more than I do. I was reminded that God never wastes our waiting seasons. And I just felt so much better talking to God and listening to God about all that was on my heart.
But the main reason for this post is to tell you about a revelation I had after our last meeting. I snapped a photo before we began. Then I went on to speak to each of them in the order that I met them over the years of living here (with one girl I met years ago in Georgia!), sharing with them how we met and what they mean to me. I was a little emotional because the move to Charlotte 8 years ago was hard for me. Friends didn’t come quickly. The Lord was so personal and faithful to be to me all I needed in the lonely season. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.
However, in my living room over these weeks there were 8 ladies.
8 years here in Charlotte.
8 friends the Lord has brought me along the way.
God is so faithful and so personal. I’m grateful.
And this picture reminds me that God could see this day and these faces and knew when I would meet them and how the friendships would grow. He can be trusted. I hope I never forget that truth.