Fighting for your faith, Sharing it with others (Girls' Small Group) - An Allison Post

So, its pretty amazing to have the kind of experiences where you can sit in a circle with people in different places of life, and yet realize that we are all so connected and similar, sharing something in common. The revelations that occur in those places are gifts that we didn't even know we wanted, and also what we'd been needing.

Translation: Cozy times with the girls
tonight. AND IT WAS!

This happened last week in our girls' small group. Our sisterhood, though small, is growing into a safe place to deeply encounter God especially through the lens of each other. We've been talking about prayer this fall, looking for definition, the reasons why, and healthy inspiration for our personal walks. Miriam hosted last week, decorating as if she was born of Martha Stewart. There were candles EVERYWHERE, and it was SO "kosélig". After cooking a one-pot pasta meal that disappeared as quickly as it was made, we watched a movie together called War Room. I've kinda been running from this movie for a number of reasons but it was more than appropriate considering the topic and content of the film.

Meet Meeka! Nestled with some
Cadbury Hot Cocoa, she's
articulating how the testimony
of our spiritual life can look like
series of valleys and mountains.
Proud of her for searching.

I loved this concept from the movie that summed up to: 1) Losing battles to the Lord and 2) fighting for your life with prayer. When my perspective is off, its possible that I'm not the evil one, but I'm fighting the Righteous One for the sake of ruling my life. It was crazy to hear what the two girls who could come that night had to say about the movie. One had remarked that she saw a necessary need for transforming from being spiritual police over people to being a construction worker in prayer, helping to clear the path for people to see Jesus. Another had expressed that sometimes it can be really difficult to pray relating to the lonely and ambiguous role she carries as a young spiritual leader in her family. HUGE realizations and tensions for encouragement and accountability. So thankful for the opportunity to have shared testimonies of what it looks like to grow up in my prayer life, and how I've seen the fruit grow over periods of time. 

I've been researching on the early churches from just after the coming of Christ up to the protestant reformation and I've been blown away at the ministry and presence of many women so early in the movement of Christianity. From recognized deacons like Perpetua, to Presbyters like Phoebe, to even Junia who was called among the apostles. I think of what they went through, how they expressed  their faith and belief in a tumultuous and fierce era. I wonder what these ladies would be saying if they leaned into our conversations. I wonder what trajectory and pathways we create for future women as we share and attest to the Living God through our own lives.