She and her husband waited for years to adopt a little one and they finally got the call. They left in a hurry, nursery still a storage room, presents freshly wrapped under their Christmas tree, fruit left to rot on the counter. They flew away to gather up into their arms this baby meant for them since before the creation of the world. My plan was to bring them some groceries to leave in their fridge before they returned home – just a couple of small things to get them through their first morning back.
On my way to the store, another friend called to see if I could bring her a few essentials. It was her first week home with both a toddler and her new baby as her husband went back to work. And as I pushed my cart through the grocery store, bananas for her, chicken for us, bread and milk for the others, the tears came quick and full. This cart is answered prayer. This cart is evidence of love. These women are my community and these small gifts of food are the smallest tokens of support.
It felt like a gift to me, to run these errands for them. It felt like an honor to be close enough to them to be someone they call in a time of simple need. My in real life people, the women I live my life with, they are gifts. As much as I sometimes prefer to be alone, to keep my troubles close and my insecurities hidden, these women draw them out. They are necessary parts of my healing.
Stephanie asked on her blog, When was the last time you hosted your real life friends and business associates, together, to see what creative genius explodes? And I want to post a similar question for you: When was the last time you gathered your necessary parts, both the women who know you well and those women you wish you knew better, to see what kind of touchable relationship might be born?
(In)courage is attempting to make it easy for you to gather your community together. On April 28th, women all over the country (and the world!) will be hosting and/or attending their own (in)courage in real life conference in their living rooms, backyards, coffee shops, and churches. Want to know more? Lisa-Jo explains it well in this two minute video.
I love what Melissa says, “You don’t want to be vulnerable because you might get hurt. It’s actually a blessing when somebody else is vulnerable because then I have the chance to encourage.” I felt that way, pushing my cart through the grocery store. It wasn’t a grand gesture. It wasn’t a gaping wound I stepped in to heal. It was simply a quiet step towards community, a practical need being met, an easy errand for loved friends. But if we weren’t living life together, I never would have known their need. Perhaps this (in)courage (un)conference gathering could be a bench for you and others in your community to come and sit upon together. Visit the (in) real life website to learn more or to find a meetup near you.
beautiful. thank you for the reminder to remain open, and to remain connected.
Tara / pohlkotte press´s last [type] ..When Love Sparkles
::stupid watering eyes::
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama´s last [type] ..What I learned from almost 2 months almost unplugged
Aw, thanks for this great post. Beautiful. My husband and I are in Uganda for six months working at a children’s home… and I haven’t had a “heart-to-heart” conversation with another woman for four months now. It can get lonely here in Africa. But during this famine of no community with other women, it is teaching me to treasure my friendships back home in a deeper way. I’m looking forward to going back home in May and embracing my friendships with a keener awareness of how important it is to be part of a loving community of women. And your post just made me even more excited to go home and be intentional and vulnerable in my relationships. Thanks!
Lauren Stoltzfoos´s last [type] ..Half-Time
Okay, I have signed up to be a house…but I am very akward with inviting people over..especially if I really don’t know them. I tend to be such a loner. I like being alone, but not as much as I am. I want friends, prayer partners. Friendship takes time to develop, time to achieve and know if you are safe and know if you will stay safe in the long term. Would love some prayer for me to get bold with strangers.
Diane Bailey´s last [type] ..What God has Joined
I would come to yours! If I weren’t FAR far away
. We’re doing one here in San Diego too, but at another woman’s home. It’s going to be so fun to meet them. I’ve already talked to one on the phone. Such a cool idea!
Laurie Wallin´s last [type] ..Are you a good friend?
beautiful, grace-filled words.
Kris´s last [type] ..Examining The Heart
*This* sold me, Emily!
Amy Hunt — a {Grace} full *life*´s last [type] ..grit
Beautiful Emily, as always. Thank you
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts´s last [type] ..for when you hurt….
traveling with a work friend to RL with a blog friend! worlds collide!!!!
kendal´s last [type] ..choosing safe
It’s so fun to see how you and Ann and the other women hosting the (in)RL conference are each addressing this in your own ways this week. Love you ladies like crazy and so grateful you’ve been obedient in God’s calling for the ministry of incourage. And about your question: “When was the last time you hosted your real life friends and business associates, together, to see what creative genius explodes?” – Every month! Third Monday of the month I invite 10 women – always 2 new – to have dinner at a favorite local place and we laugh our sides sore for hours. It’s become a tradition, and wow, has it brought joy to each of us as wives, women and moms!
Laurie Wallin´s last [type] ..Are you a good friend?
community…. Its all grace.
Anna´s last [type] ..Lent- Saturday
needed the reminder life is where we are. touched especially with the adoption story. oh the joy!
And getting togehter with other women in community to let the creative juices flow. Do regularly but think we are missing embracing the risky possibilities of well, whatever He has!
Linda´s last [type] ..Pushing Through to Him
I live in the Portland Or metro area and found no ‘url’ sites meeting. guess I will have to miss it?
Hi Sharon! The meet ups exist only in areas where someone is willing to host one – so you could sign up to host one yourself and invite your friends (as well as have others from your area see that you are hosting and sign up) or you could continue to keep your eye on the registration page and see if someone else signs up to host from your area.
This makes me well up… knowing how much that meant to each of them and how your poured out love in such a tangible way. It also makes me miss being a part of that community even more!
Love you girl… and you girls!