This is a story of a dinner party and answered prayers. A couple months ago I saw a women, Hollie, I attend church with, at the park. I have had brief conversations with her before, but that was about it. After a lengthy conversation, she invited me to attend a weekly "girls night out" group she has been a part of for the last 5 or 6 years. I was so excited, I had literally just prayed two days earlier for God to introduce me to a group of women that got together socially.
I have
meet several great women since we moved here that I get together with,
with my kids, but I was really needing a group that didn't always
involve my children. A group to get together with, where I got a break,
possibly dress up, not worry about my kids behavior, or wipe runny noses. All you stay at home moms know what I mean. A group to feel more like a grown up, then a mommy.
As I inquired about who the other women were in the group, I made the
connection that one of the women, Kirsty, was part of it. I had just
read about her the day before in a local women's newspaper. She was
interviewed about being a mom and writing a blog. I had checked
out her blog the day before and I must admit, the thought crossed my mind, "we have a lot in common, she lives in my town, I would love to meet her". I'm
not sure about you, but I have found blogs to be a great way to find out
about a person, and I have read many blogs, with the thought, that I wished the women lived in my town, because we would get along great!. Now, here I was, two days after praying for a group of friends, that I was invited to a together.
I have to admit, after living so many places, it never gets easier to
have that first encounter with new people. Be it the first MOPS group, bible study, or Bunko, I still get nervous. I'm a very social person and make
conversation easily, but still, it is nerve racking. I have to tell you,
these were the most welcoming women I have ever meet. It did not feel
like I just met them, it felt more like I was seeing old friends. I
have rarely felt such ease with something new. I truly felt like God
was answering my prayers.
After, we had gotten together a few times, I invited them to my house
for an end of the summer party. It went off without a hitch. It was
fun, comfortable and I so enjoyed entertaining. I am so excited to get
to know this diverse group of women, who have so graciously accepted me
into their group.
I encourage you to pray for anything, just like it
says in Philippians 4:6, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. "