The Wonder of Instant Sisterhood

Today I am delighted and touched by God. I had my first Moms in Touch meeting, and I feel it's going to be quite a year. Women of different backgrounds, children of all ages, but united in Jesus, who have a burden to pray for their kids. As one mom said, "It's amazing how God weaves lives together." She's right. There are lots of new faces this year, and all experience life in different ways. Even among "the regulars," circumstances are different than they were a year ago. Several are dealing with the awfulness of cancer; several are in the midst of major change, whether it be school or moving; others are living life with young children, others with teenagers. I feel our own family is on the brink of changing circumstances. God is leading William in a different direction career-wise, an unknown direction so far. I find it fascinating that in only a couple hours' time these women can meld together, bless one another and pray for one another. It's the amazing unity of the body of Christ. All of us are covered by His blood, chosen by Him, and united by our faith in Jesus. It's really unheard of. Sure, women bond over all sorts of strange things. We experience this when we ask a complete stranger in Nordstrom, "Do these jeans look cute on me?" Of course they say yes, and we've instantly made a friend. For a moment. Women also bond because they have kids that play the same sport or because they have similar political views or because they both attend that 5 a.m. spin class.
The really neat thing about the unity of the body of Christ is that we as believers bond with people who are different from us! We don't have to have a thing in common other than our God, and yet we're able to experience an automatic sisterhood when we pray together, lifting our hearts and focusing on Him. I guess you could say that when He's the focus, the unity happens. And it's an everlasting bond. I don't think I will ever forget the faces of the women I've prayed with through MIT, but I won't recall any of the women on Ethan's baseball team last year, although we bonded for a season. Unity in Christ is such a gift.
Back to this morning. We prayed. We dedicated this year to the Lord. I pray for all of us in our varied circumstances: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24
Through Jesus, we will approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance (freedom from doubt) of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22-23