From September to February, I’m primarily a woman with endless hours, days, weeks, and even months of free time. Aside from my standard work hours Monday through Friday, teaching on Wednesday night, and church Sunday morning, my calendar is pretty open. This is made possible by “man’s hunting season”. My husband has a borderline addiction to this season. However, given my propensity to purchase new books (rarely one at a time), I chose to remain silent. It’s a trade-off that I’m perfectly willing to make.
As the colder season moves in and we find ourselves becoming stir-crazy or even depressed, it’s a great time to be intentional and practice hospitality. A “girl supper” consisting of chips, dip, crackers, cream cheese with hot pepper jelly, fruit salad, beenie weanies, veggie tray, and pumpkin roll or pumpkin dip for dessert was the ideal combination. The invitation to come in jammies can be very persuasive. Simply stated, it’s a much-needed evening that gives permission to not care about how your jeans don’t fit, your hair can be in a messy bun, the pumpkin roll from the store isn’t judged, and a Kleenex box is on the coffee table.
The last several years, I’ve seen women of all ages being woven into my life. Some of them older. Many of them younger. All of them longing for connection. Whether it’s navigating a secret addiction with alcohol, struggling in the throws of early parenting, figuring out work and life balance that is anything BUT balanced, learning to love a husband all over again, walking the path of declining parents, or a plethora of other challenges, life was meant for community.
These women and so many others just like them have been an integral part of my writing and speaking journey. Hearing what they lose sleep over, cry in the bathroom about, and labor in prayer for is so humbling. There’s no feeling of solving anyone’s problems for them. (If that were the case, someone would’ve already written that bestseller.) But I can point them to Jesus. We can learn together. We can simply BEHOLD Him.
As we sat in my living room, I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the goodness of God. He gifted me these connections as part of His plans and purposes. Bibles open in every lap and discovering hidden treasures that we missed before.
This wasn’t just another girls’ night. This is living life with purpose. To demonstrate the love of Jesus. To point others to Jesus. To laugh and cry because we know Jesus. Thank you, girls. Already excited about the next night.
Psalm 16:8 ~ I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.
I love this and see some women I know. Michelle you truly are a blessing