goodbye summertime

i was reflecting on this past summer and on how much god has done in my life.

one thing was that god put it on my heart to start a womens bible study this summer and to do the book 'lies women believe.' at first i was excited to do something for him and serve him, but i remember one day talking to god and telling him i just didn't have the strength to do this bible study. i was worn down and felt like i didn't have anything to give. how was i supposed to host the bible study AND lead it?! and then god told me, 'kim, i want you to organize it...not do everything.' oh ok god! why am i used to doing everything?!

so i prayed about which girls to invite and then sent out the email. 5 girls committed to the group! one girl offered to host and another one offered to lead. so fabulous! we started meeting and i realized that i was getting so much out of the study and from the fellowship of the other girls. we were really praying for each other and getting deep in our relationship with the lord. i remember about two weeks into the study, i was at the galleria and just feeling so full. i wasn't tired or worn down...and i realized how much this small group was a part of that. and i realized that god wanted me to form this group for ME. he knew i would need the support.

and i just smiled. there god goes again, blessing me when i don't expect it. i'm so used to doing things and serving, that sometimes i forget it's okay to receive. and i have to receive in order to be able to keep giving. if i am not being poured into by god and other believers, how can my cup runneth over so i can share what i have with others? i'm so glad i trusted god and went ahead with organizing the summer small group. i was feeling overwhelmed, but god had plans different than what i could see.

sometimes it can look too hard for us. or maybe god is telling us something we don't quite understand. we don't have to know how it will all work out. he knows...all we have to do is trust him and follow him.

this is one of my favorite verses because it reminds me that god wants us to have rest. he doesn't want us to keep going and going and not be 'refueled'...

come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and i will give you REST. (matthew 11:28)