Searching for a place to call my own
This post is more introspective than usual. Feel free to skim or skip.
Ever since we moved here 5 years ago Kassy and I have been looking for a small group of friends we could connect with on a regular basis. A group that would hold us accountable to living this Christian life, encourage us in times of doubt or struggle, and celebrate with us as we pass over the mountains. We’ve been a part of 3 groups properly, and each one has had it’s ups and downs.
We’re in between groups again now and trying to decide what God has in store for us in these next few months or years. The difficult decision right now is whether God wants us in a group together with Kaden or apart and each taking their turn watching him for an evening. I don’t have a good answer for this question, but it does bring up another question that I’d live to hear your thoughts on.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of being in a group together?
One of the biggest benefits I see of being in a group together is that we are growing to know more about God and eachother’s spirituality at the same time.
On the contrary it means we are keeping an eye on Kaden and so it makes it harder to get the most out of each study.
The other thing is that I feel we are both more open when the group is divided into only males or females.
I would love to have the one-on-one time with Kaden, but would hate to not see much of Kassy an additional might of the week.
As you can see this isn’t an east decision but we’ve decided to spend some more time in prayer seeking God’s voice and looking for opportunities where He is at work around us. I know the answer will come soon.
Let me know the things that have weighed on you when making similar decisions.
June 15th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Hey, googled you guys to find your life at a distance page and I found your blog. I haven’t talked to you guys in a while.
The small group thing is a real issue, we struggled with the very issues you have laid out here. Having a baby can be isolating at times, it’s hard to balance it with time as a couple. We didn’t do a small group for a LONG time after having kids. Taking the kids with you is not so much fun, you can’t focus on each other and the group. However, now we are in a small group together….we hired our next door neighbor girl to watch the kids, and we also recruited Gigi (grandma). Eric also does a group with the men now at our house, and I just pack the kids up and go visit my mom…..which I know Kassy can’t do. But not having a small group for so long left a hole in us, and it nagged at us incessantly.
One idea may be that youth from your church could gain credits towards a youth trip by babysitting for couples on the nights of small groups. Hope this helps…..I’m going to try and call Kassy now…..