Leading Ladies

   I have been blessed with amazing women in my life at the most critical times.  In my hardest moments and my highest peaks, I have been blessed to have a strong, encouraging group of women around me.  These women certainly don't fall out of the sky but with a little courage, I have been able to take the first step and join a life group/e group that has brought them into my life.
   There are so many important reasons to become part of a life group/e group at your church.  I always get concerned expressions when people are informed that our church doesn't have "Sunday school."  The reason for that is, that our "Sunday school" environment happens in "small group" settings during other times of the week.  Casey and I have always been in a small group and it has continually fed us spiritually, emotionally and mentally.  I look back over the years and would hate to know how I would have handled some of the experiences life has given me without my small group.
   Shortly after Casey and I married, we joined an e group through Elevation.  Our particular e group was a "young married group" that meets on Tuesday nights.  We've been a part of this group for a couple years now and I continue to thank God for the men and women that have walked through our path and joined us in the first years of marriage.  As the time goes by, our group grows and develops further.  When we started, it was small group of newly married couples and now we have 2 newborns and one arriving in a couple of months.  As we walk through life together, we are able to help one another in whatever struggles and praises come along.
    Take today for example; I started my day conquering everything on my task list and felt like it was going to be a fantastic afternoon.  Just as my sails were flying high, darkness came and struggles appeared and without warning, I was stressed over life complications.  Of course, I prayed and took a walk to speak with God.  That certainly helped, but I admit, sometimes I struggle emotionally when I speak to God and I feel His Presence but the hurt remains and I just need to talk to a girl!  Can I get an Amen?  Within minutes I was able to contact a few of my friends from our e group and we were able to meet for a walk.  I can't tell you the difference it made to be able to vent, regroup and get honest, genuine advice on how to handle my situation.  Hours after my struggle appeared, I felt rejuvenated and better equipped to deal with the problem.     I am so thankful for the women that God has placed in my life.  Each one is different and pure in their own way.  We all have different walks of life and ways of the world, but together we come and love on one another.  Being able to talk and share moments together allows us to become better women, wives and mothers.  I am so blessed!