As I sit here with this blank page before me, I can't help but think how exciting my life has been this past week. This is my first time as a small group leader for Proverbs 31 Online Bible Study. For weeks leading up to the start of this study, I was receiving emails and following other leaders posts on the FB Group Leader Page, hoping for that one tidbit of profound guidance that I very much needed. Last Friday, I anxiously awaited the loading of my group (or as I like to refer to it as the "reaping") so that I could begin interacting with them and begin the bonds of christian sisterhood. Much to my amazement, as with the birth of your first child, once I had my group loaded, my question was...now what? I thought that I was prepared for this. What if I fail? What if they don't like me? What if I can't pray for them? What if I can't encourage them? What if...what if...what if. By Friday night I was exhausted. I had worried myself sick.
On Sunday night, I had my first Facebook Chat party for the aWeSoMe YeS gIrLs of Group 25. They showed up and they participated and we learned about each other. We answered silly questions and we answered a few tough soul searching questions. It was wonderful. After it was over and I had my quiet time, I began to go back over my notes on Chapter 1. I reflected on our bible verse for the week, which was Deuteronomy 6:5. I pulled out my bible and my spiral note cards and began to verse map. I changed the "your" to "my" and I underlined the words that seemed to have a powerful impact.
My favorite website for verse mapping is www.biblegateway.com. I have a NIV bible, but I love to cross reference with The Message and The Voice. As I looked up the different versions of this particular verse, the one thing remained true. Love God with every ounce of your strength. Love Him with all that you've got. A love like that takes total involvement and committment, such as the love that you give your Husband or even the love that you give your child. It is a love that goes deeper than we can humanly fatham, but it is there for us to take and receive.
My fear and what if's seemed to dissipate. All my worrying was for not. In that instance, in that moment, I sat back and said a prayer for God to lead me, guide me and use me however he needed to use me in this ministry. I put my palms up and said yes to God!!
Thank you for sharing!! Isaiah 43:19 came to mind as I read your post, "Watch closely: I am preparing something new; it’s happening now, even as I speak, and you’re about to see it. I am preparing a way through the desert; waters will flow where there had been none." (The Voice)
ReplyDeleteSo thankful you said "Yes" to God by becoming a Facegroup small group leader, Kelly!!
In His love,
Pat
Kelly, you are an awesome group leader! Thank you for stepping up and saying yes to do this. You are making the experience of Group #25 great! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you said "Yes!" You are a wonderful leader! I love your Kwirks, and I love our group! Thank you for your "yes."
ReplyDeleteKelly, Thanks for your honesty! I wonder how many other new leaders felt the same way? I remember I felt it when I became a leader five studies ago. God called you here to do great things and I know you'll be a wonderful leader. I'm praying for you. Love Kara (OBS Team Leader)
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteI love being in your group...you have been such an inspiration and encouragement to me this past week! I love your note card idea to keep all your memory verses/verse mapping together!