June 26
Circle of Friends
You are my friends....
John15:14a (NLT)
I find these words interesting. After three years, Jesus finally calls His disciples His friends. Maybe it’s just me, but I think there is something special about small groups and this three-year point.
I have a friend who shepherds a couples’ small group, and he says it took them three years to get to the point where the men of the group felt close enough to do their own Bible study and be accountable to one another. Interesting.
Our small group finds itself at the three-year point, and I feel so attached and so connected to these people and their families.... I thought of that yesterday afternoon while driving across town in a driving snow storm. It was a bit dicey on the roads, but my defroster hummed along with my CD player as it pounded out Point of Grace's, Circle of Friends—a 10-year old classic with legs! It warmed me and made me long for my own group. We were supposed to meet that night, but I wondered, “Would we?”
The snow and ice reeked of coming havoc on our roads. “Darn weather,” I thought. “I’ll miss my group tonight!” Well, guess what? The weather held off, just enough, and we did meet, and it was so good. To hear answered prayer, to see my friends excited and challenged by God’s word ... and by each other ... wow! It just made my weekend.
These connections are solid, healthy, good and I don’t want to lose them, and yet ... Kris is ready for a new group ... just when her slow-moving, relationship-challenged husband finds his comfort zone! But I can see her rationale ... we can relate more, perhaps even bond tighter with parents of teens rather than with parents of toddlers. Maybe? Well, we’ll see.
One thing I know. These friends who’ve found my heart will never leave there. They’ve joined our circle. Our circle of friends.
Father, You know how much I care for my friends. Thank You for giving me a glimpse of Jesus’ love for His friends. Give us wisdom for the future, and may this circle of friends endure in truth and love. Amen.
Circle of Friends
You are my friends....
John15:14a (NLT)
I find these words interesting. After three years, Jesus finally calls His disciples His friends. Maybe it’s just me, but I think there is something special about small groups and this three-year point.
I have a friend who shepherds a couples’ small group, and he says it took them three years to get to the point where the men of the group felt close enough to do their own Bible study and be accountable to one another. Interesting.
Our small group finds itself at the three-year point, and I feel so attached and so connected to these people and their families.... I thought of that yesterday afternoon while driving across town in a driving snow storm. It was a bit dicey on the roads, but my defroster hummed along with my CD player as it pounded out Point of Grace's, Circle of Friends—a 10-year old classic with legs! It warmed me and made me long for my own group. We were supposed to meet that night, but I wondered, “Would we?”
The snow and ice reeked of coming havoc on our roads. “Darn weather,” I thought. “I’ll miss my group tonight!” Well, guess what? The weather held off, just enough, and we did meet, and it was so good. To hear answered prayer, to see my friends excited and challenged by God’s word ... and by each other ... wow! It just made my weekend.
These connections are solid, healthy, good and I don’t want to lose them, and yet ... Kris is ready for a new group ... just when her slow-moving, relationship-challenged husband finds his comfort zone! But I can see her rationale ... we can relate more, perhaps even bond tighter with parents of teens rather than with parents of toddlers. Maybe? Well, we’ll see.
One thing I know. These friends who’ve found my heart will never leave there. They’ve joined our circle. Our circle of friends.
Father, You know how much I care for my friends. Thank You for giving me a glimpse of Jesus’ love for His friends. Give us wisdom for the future, and may this circle of friends endure in truth and love. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 11:26 AM
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