I was forgiven; my spirit felt light. On to the next thing …
Our church encourages small groups. We joined one last fall. Now it sign-up time for Spring. Unfortunately, many groups were the wrong demographic (college-age, young women), wrong time, or geographically too far. The one I wanted was filled. So, I chose another.
Wednesday, I got a text from Becki, the small group coordinator: the group I picked was mostly young women, but if I really wanted, I could join. She suggested another group that met Tuesday evenings – in Aurora. Too far away. She said she would see if Carolyn’s closed group (50-year-old+ women) would make room for one more. We left it there.
Jenna was also having trouble finding a group. On Friday, I texted Becki to say that if the closed group was reluctant to add more (no judging), I would accept God’s “Not this time.” Becki replied that she would see Carolyn on Sunday.
Sunday, on the way to church, Jenna asked if we were going to find Becki. I said, no, we were leaving things to God. Perhaps we would invite friends and be our own small group, I joked.
The sermon was Waiting on a Miracle: the wedding in Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle.
It was a thoughtful sermon. Toward the end, Pastor Steve said, “Whatever God is calling you to be involved with is probably already nearby … Are you waiting for God to move or is God waiting for you to get moving?”
And I knew: God wanted me to host a small group, and He wanted me to invite my friends and all my neighboring women!
Really? After what I did? I felt … unusable.
After church, I went to the Prayer Team with my doubts. David listened, asked insightful questions and prayed for Jenna and me (it’s her house, too). Then he indicated a woman nearby. “That’s Becki,” he said.
I didn’t need more than that: God is in this and I can do it! Becki – and Jenna – agreed. Monday I would print out flyers and post them by all the mailboxes in our community.
Then I would watch my gracious God at work.
***
O God, your ways are holy.
Where is there any other as mighty as you?
You are the God of miracles and wonders!
You still demonstrate your awesome power.
Psalm 77:13-14 Living Bible