From Limbo to Lindas

In a blog article posted August 21, 2009, called, “A Gentle Command,” I shared my desire to follow God’s leading with regard to my involvement with a ladies small group. My focus verse was,

“Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you” (Psalm 37:5 NLT).

The result was: discontinuing the ladies group at my previous church and getting ready to start a new one at my current church. I ended the blog with, “I am excited about the upcoming possibilities for ministry that the Lord will show me in the next few months.” Since that week, I have been in limbo, patiently, but expectantly, waiting for September to come & God to show me my new direction.

Here is what happened . . .

The plan for the new group was to use the pastor’s small group questions that coincided with his sermon series planned for October to December. The start date was set for Sept 23, giving the group members time to get acquainted with each other before we started the sermon questions. I spoke to the few women I know at the church, of which about four expressed interest in joining. Two days before the 23rd, it was down to two ladies confirmed. I was not worried, just curious as to what might happen. The new group had not been widely advertised by the church as, “we don’t generally advertise small groups.” Although disappointed at this lack of advertising support, I knew that God wanted me to go ahead because: God can only direct a person when she is moving! I needed to take the next step by faith in order for God to show me the direction. If many women showed up for the group, then, great! If few showed up, then, God would make clear a new direction.

Sep 23, 1:00 pm. I arrived at the church early feeling excited about what might happen. The two confirmed ladies, both with first name “Linda”, arrived and we waited to see if anyone else came. By 1:30, no one else appeared. The ladies were somewhat concerned, but I was not. I explained that God wanted me to take this step in faith, knowing that He would show me what to do next.

Earlier in the summer, God laid on my heart that my next involvement with a small group would include more, and frequent, community outreach activities. In sharing this with the two Lindas, they excitedly expressed similar desires! Not needing to sit in the room inside the church, we told the pastor (who was in his office) that the small group was cancelled, and that we had other ideas and would let him know later. As it was a very hot day, the ladies & I found a shady spot under a big leafy tree, outside the church building where we began our new focus group!

We pledged to meet every Wednesday to walk, encourage each other in our faith journey, AND to plan and participate in a variety of one-time community service projects. With a few ideas explored, we made plans to investigate specific possibilities, essentially, wanting to commit time for one project a month. Excited – we prayed for God’s guidance, eager to see how God would lead us to impact others in His Name!

Thank you God that I am not in limbo anymore, but am in ministry with two Lindas to do good works in our community. How excited we are to watch you direct us to meet others’ needs. Give us your strength and boldness to carry out this “Mission from God.”