It’s Monday night.
I pull onto my friend Julie’s street and park my VW bug, looking at the clock to check the time.
7:00. I’m on-time.
I walk up her front steps, past an abandoned tricycle, and to the front door.
There’s no need to ring the front bell – Julie’s door is always open on Mondays.
When I open the front door, I hear chatter and laughter.
My heart is already happy.
I walk through the hallway to the kitchen and living room, past the old church bench piled with children’s books.
A collection of antique mirrors hangs on the wall. (The Nester would love Julie’s style.)
I am immediately greeted with hugs and hellos.
It has been two weeks since we were last together, but it feels like yesterday.
I love this house and the people in it.
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I was invited to join Julie’s Monday night group four years ago. She started it more than 15 years ago, when she was in college. Though her life circumstances have changed – she got married, become a mom, started teaching at Belmont – her dedication to community never wavered.
And what a community it is.
Every other Monday we come together at Julie’s house, eat delicious food and discuss a Christian book.
(We just finished The Prodigal God
From the outside it would appear that we’re just a group of woman getting together for book club.
But really, it’s more of a life club.
While the book brings everyone together, the group is not about a book.
It’s about the people in it.
We share our joys.
Our struggles.
Our thanksgivings.
Our desires.
Proverbs 17:17 says friends love through all kinds of weather, and that is my Monday night group.
We love one another through it all – and because of it all.
Being a part of Julie’s group has given me a deeper understanding of why Jesus needed the disciples- and why they needed him.
We are not meant to walk this life alone.
Who has taught you about the importance of community?
By Jessica Turner, The Mom Creative
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