How small groups can help the lonely during the holiday season
At the age of nine, I lost my father to cancer. The years that
followed were tumultuous since my mother and I didn't get along. As an only
child, I craved family and a "normal" life. After graduating from college, God
provided healing in my relationship with my mother, for which I'm thankful for
every day because when I was 24 she died of cancer as well. I thought I'd
experienced loneliness as a child, but nothing compared to the loneliness of
having no family.
Due to my pain, I turned my back on God. I made poor decisions
that extended my pain, and I ran from God continually. However, God is merciful,
and he rescued me. But I had to change my lifestyle, including starting over
with new friends. That's when I found small groups at The Simple Church.
In the process of my healing, God brought me peace through a
verse, "A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows … God sets the lonely
in families" (Psalm
68:5-6, NIV 1984). God was true to his Word. My small group made sure I
received the support I needed without me having to ask for it. They made sure I
had somewhere to spend my birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. My loneliness
subsided as I realized my small group was the "family" God so lovingly promised
me from his Word. Read more
No comments:
Post a Comment