my biggest flaw...

I began attending a New Life small group this semester, and I sure wish I would have began it sooner. The girls I have met there are incredible and such a great relief in the middle of these stressful weeks. They have all challenged me to think about God and his word, and most importantly, to apply it.

I am not one to share feelings, emotions, my past, etc. It's just not something I have ever really been a fan of. . . instead, I unhealthily bottle it up inside of me until it can be released in a crazy hard run, or I just finally break down, alone of course.

But small group is an entirely different stories. I remember the first time I hung out with these girls, I found myself sharing things that I had never shared with anybody; thoughts, doubts, mistakes, hopes, dreams, all sorts of things. Sure we are all about having fun, a study break, and chatting it up, but instead we involve God.

Tonight, we talked about one of the things that is the focus of New Life Church this year: Freedom to the condemned, the broken, and the something else (sorry I ruined that Line. . . I can't remember : ((( ). We focused in on a few chapters in Mark that showed how Jesus heals us physically and spiritually and that all it takes is for us to believe in him. Then we talked about different things that we felt we needed to freed from and how God could help us.

After reading a few chapters in Mark, we went back to our journal and reflected the different things we wanted from God when we pray, and the different things we need from God.

This was one of the deepest conversations we had ever had as a small group, and it felt so fantastic to connect and delve into our deep thoughts together, and in Christ.

As for my responses, well, I feel the following sums it up quite well.

Jeremiah 29:11-14

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity.

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

the courage to change the things I can;

and the wisdom to know the difference.