Mom Heart Moments #19

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.

SO MANY MAMAS FIND THEMSELVES incredibly lonely. Entertainment is sought to fill the cavernous holes and vacuums in the soul, where it replaces real relationships, love, and service and only serves to placate and dull the one imbibing it. Television replaces visiting and sharing friendship, discussing books, being creative, cooking, painting, sewing, writing letters, enjoying articles and books, reading aloud, playing games . . . and so we live an isolated existence. Media has defined and determined the moral values and character of this current generation, but it has not satisfied souls. Real, hand-to-hand, voice-to-voice friendship and intimacy is what we long for and hope for.

That is why we must figure out a way in the midst of our busyness to create community and fellowship. We need to connect heartstrings from one person to the other —and lend a helping hand to each other in the midst of our burdens and our joys.

While I relish the ability to share encouragement and teaching through today’s digital means, we all need to know that there is someone nearby who is real, someone to touch, talk to, cry with —to truly know. I have learned that often, if this kind of fellowship is going to happen, I need to be the one who initiates it. God was an initiator —He came to give: He healed and blessed and taught and sacrificed. It is what we also were created to do. I travel so much that I cannot always do as much locally as I would like, but I have come to really appreciate the encouragement I receive when I open my home to sweet, like-minded women.

Might God be calling you to open your own home and create real community right where you are? Pray about it.