The picture looks awkward, but it’s my favorite from all of 2020. ⁠
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I’m standing outside on a cold but sunny morning. Six feet away is a small group of women huddled together to keep warm. To anyone outside our circle of friendship it would appear I am being ostracized, and they are smiling about it! But to me, to us, it is a picture of pure love.⁠
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As a person in the high risk group for COVID, the only way to safely see my friends during the pandemic was to meet outdoors and keep our distance. It was easy during the warm months. We met at empty parks to pray for each other and laugh together, things we all needed. When the weather turned cold, we had to get more creative. ⁠
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The day that photo was taken, we were celebrating Christmas together. They refused to meet without me. The solution? A backyard fire pit, beanies, down blankets, and coffee in insulated mugs. ⁠
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This is how our faith grew during the pandemic. In isolation, I battled depression and anxiety. One woman’s marriage struggled. Another had a sick mom in another state and traveling to help her became a real hurdle. We all needed to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and presence with us in our own struggles. We needed to share our burdens and feel the support that comes when others carry our burdens to Jesus in prayer.⁠
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“There is no way you will be able to grow spiritually apart from a deep involvement in a community of other believers. You can’t live the Christian life without a band of Christian friends, without a family of believers in which you find a place.” Timothy Keller⁠
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There are no rules to this growing-in-community thing. It can look different in each friendship circle. Jesus set the example with his disciples. He called them his “brothers” (Matthew 12:49, NIV). They met for prayer, for meals, and for ministry. ⁠
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My girlfriends are my band of brothers. We meet for coffee, laughter, and prayer. Together, our faith grows. ⁠
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Who is in your band of brothers?⁠
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*This devotional was originally published here at Joyful Life Magazine.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOU

Life with rare disease is hard. Living it with friends makes it easier. I’d love to be your encourager as you endure this rare disease life. Let me start by sending you a list of 12 Verses to Help You Endure. I’d love to send it to you now.