I feel so incredibly blessed to be surrounded by such Godly women! The pastoral team’s wives all went out for a little Christmas Dinner together the other night, and I realized how rich I am to count these ladies as my closest friends. These women have heard the deepest, darkest things in my heart and my life and still love me! (I know, it’s amazing!) Whenever we’re together, we jump quickly past the “Hi, that outfit looks cute on you, is it new?” to the tough, but so beneficial, “How are you seeing God’s grace in your weakness?” and, “How are you doing with that tough sin we were talking about last time we were together?”  This is true Biblical Fellowship, and I have received much grace for growth in my life from the faithful words of these women.

My sweet daughter Lanni just spent a snowy afternoon playing with a friend from the church, and I am struck with the knowledge that God has placed us in a local church where we are taught to pursue and love this deep kind of fellowship, and hope that she, too, may someday soon experience this same amazing gift of deep friendship that I have been given by my gracious Heavenly Father!

Can I encourage you ladies to reach out and ask a tough question, offer some encouragement, or confess a weakness to another? I know that you will find grace there, and will be amazed at the rich friendships you will know as you experience humility in fellowship.

And to Grace, Cynthia, Brenda and Lori: I love you girls; thanks for being true friends!