Women Encouraging Women

Women encouraging women, that is what the evening of Focused Fellowship is all about.  As a way of introduction we spent about a half hour chatting in small groups as ladies arrived.  When I looked at my watch and saw how late it was getting we flashed the lights to have the ladies gather in one room.

Monica has graciously continued to open her home, something that the Lord has gifted her with, in a way that allows each of us to feel comfortable.  Since this evening we wondered if the group would be larger Monica had cleaned under her couch so that the couch could be pulled further back in the room to allow for more room.  (thank you Monica!)  

We went around the room "briefly" sharing about our families to give everyone an idea of what had brought us to the group.  This particular evening there were several ladies waiting for referrals, one awaiting travel plans, some waiting to hear the future of their foster children, and others parenting the children already placed in their homes both through adoption and fostering.  We were a diverse group, many from our church family, many representing several other church families, all of us with the common bond of Christ.

We had a short devotion given using pieces of Paul David Tripp's book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change.  Just reading the title could of been enough to remind all of us that we are instruments being used by the Lord.

During the devotion we were reminded of three points:

*"God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things in the lives of others."

*We heard Ephesians 4:11-16 and heard that God could use us!

*The overall biblical model is this: God transforms people's lives as people bring his Word to others."

Not wanting to neglect our time of prayer we spent some sweet time in prayer for each other and the children that we represent.  What an encouragement!

The evening ended with small groups of conversations that included some brainstorming, questions being asked and answered, and of course some laughter. 

This evening of fellowship is such a time of refreshment.  God has called each of us to the place where we are to minister to the children and the families that He brings our way.  God does not always call us to easy things, but we can trust that He will equip us for what He has called us to do.  One of the things that the Lord uses to equip me is this group of ladies that love Jesus and are called to care for the orphan.

If you are a mom or are hoping to be a mom through adoptions and/or foster care.  Please join us on the third Monday of each month at 7pm at Monica Lonergan's home.  We would love to get to know you and to come alongside and encourage you!

If you are on Facebook, look up the Focused Fellowship page.

"From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."  Ephesians 4:16