I think I mentioned this before, but I joined a local MOPS group this year. If you don't know what MOPS is, it's Mothers of Preschoolers. It's totally different from my MOMS Club because it's all faith-based. At first, I wasn't sure if I'd like that aspect of it, but as the year has gone on, I've found myself really looking forward to my MOPS Thursdays.
Every other week, I go to a local church and meet with other moms of preschoolers. Hugh goes to their nursery with other kiddos his age and he plays for two hours while we meet in fellowship. There's always food (there's a sign-up and at least once during the year you're asked to bring something). There's usually a craft, and there's always some theme for the week.
Yesterday I had MOPS and we discussed a book that we were all given at Christmas as a gift. I wish I had started reading the book sooner than Tuesday (lol), but I was able to read about 100 pages of the book and had enough info from it to participate in the conversation during the MOPS meeting.
Something interesting came from yesterday's meeting. While reading the book that we were to discuss, I found myself asking a lot of questions and questioning things. Mainly, "Am I the only person that doesn't hear God when I talk to Him or ask questions?" I know prayers are answered in their own time, and I can usually look back and see reasons for things, but I've never had a flat out discussion with God with back and forth.
I asked the women at my table if any of them had experienced this. In the book, the author discussed her many conversations with God and Him talking to her. Like, for real, legit talking to her.
To my surprise, the women at my table had all had some kind of conversation with God and had heard answers in some form. One said she has had arguments with God (lol) and clear as day knew she was hearing the voice of God through different means. Another shared that she hasn't had a voice, but has been lead to follow God by different signs that she's learned to pay attention to. Another said she just follows God's lead by reading various passages in the Bible, or will head a voice in her head saying to read different verses and she knows that's God talking to her.
I was dumbfounded. I have never had an experience like this. Then we talked more about the Bible and I admitted that I don't know the Bible, don't read it, and wasn't raised reading it. I was Catholic after all. They all agreed that the beginning should start with the Bible and it's never too late to start.
One of the ladies said she had something for me and would give it to me at the end of the meeting. We made cards as our craft, said our intentions and prayed for all that were shared, and then we were done. She said she'd meet me down at the nursery (where I was heading to get Hugh) and when I came out with Hugh, she gave me a women's devotion book and an audio book thingy that I can listen to in my car.
I was really overwhelmed by her kindness and gave her a big hug. I texted Brittany after and told her about the meeting and the discussion and we got to talking about Bible Study. She suggested we do one together.
I honestly feel like God works in amazing ways. I asked Britt if we should ask some of our other friends and see if they'd be interested in doing a women's Bible Study together and she said absolutely. I emailed a few friends last night, and we now have a group of seven that will be starting our Bible Study on April 13th!
The book that's above is the one that we'll be starting with. It sounded interesting and I like Jen Hatmaker (I follow her blog). I'm eager to deepen my relationship with God, and to experience the fellowship that comes from sharing and opening up with friends.
I feel so fortunate to have people that I can depend on and that support me. I think we'll all grow and connect even more through our Bible Studies together!!
I'll be sure to post again once we start and share how it's going!!
