Woven

(click here to re-pin this on Pinterest)

This morning, upon turning to July 4th in "A Mother's Prayer" mini daily calendar, I read:

 

"In the midst of the praying, it is comforting to remember that God considers families important.  Before he called a nation, he created a family." ~Quin Sherrer

 

Of course I was first drawn to the word "nation" with today being Independence Day, but then when the quote ended on "family," so did my thoughts rest there. 

 

My family is currently on hold so to speak...at least temporarily.  With my extended family this is true as we've all been scattered about the different states of the nation, each one taking a little needed space to just breathe while we all individually deal with the losses and struggles we've had to face over the past few years.  For my immediate family, we feel on hold as we wait in prayer for the Lord to move and open the door to adding more children to our midst. 

 

With my world seeming on hold for so long, life had begun to feel stagnant, like I was being cut off from the deepest desires of my heart - my dreams of writing, of having more children, and of needing those deeper and more meaningful relationships in my life.

 

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit..."
~John 15:1-2a

 

 For several years I sat apart from God hopelessly watching these things wither away.

 

"If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers..."
~John 15:6a

 

But now, as I sit here on this 4th of July, 2013, much has changed.  Or I should say, God has changed much.  So much so, I can't stop saying how in awe I am of Him..."AWE" being my word of the month.  I have been praying for connections with Christian woman, connections with Christian writers, and connections with Christian moms in general, while over this past year re-learning how to remain in Him.

 

"I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." ~John 15:5

 



The way in which the Lord has answered, is remarkable.  He has taken all the smallest details of my life, all those withering branches so to speak, and Woven  them together creating for me many "little families" amongst the "nation" of Christian woman and Christian woman writers of whom he has called.  It began with Proverbs 31 Ministries and Melissa Taylor's Online Bible Studies.  Then that led to the forming of the Facebook small group #37 - you ladies rock!  And now a tremendous group of woman writers to chat with on Facebook who I'll be attending She Speaks with three weeks from now - wow is all I can say about that right now.  Oh, and I can't forget the family of prayer warriors - a group of woman, many of which who've walked beside me from the beginning of my journey in Christ, who are now holding me up in prayer as I venture out in faith towards that God given dream to write - such a blessing you all are.  

 

With all of these woman God has Woven  into my life, a beautiful circle of friendships, encouragement, learning and prayer has been formed - a wreath crafted for this caterpillar to rest on.  And as I sit here under the wings of these beautiful butterflies, hearing how loudly and strongly their hearts all beat for the Lord - I can't help but smile, thanking God for this great honor and privilege, and looking forward with great expectation to the day I too will be transformed and able to fly with grace towards my dreams.    

 

Wishing you all a very happy Independence Day, and may God bless our great nation through the blessings of our many greater families!

"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe." ~Hebrews 12:28