Have you ever made a new friend that quickly became like family? They came into your life in just the right season. They were a blessing in more ways than you could count. Now, have you ever met a whole family that fit that description?
Well, I did! Let me introduce you to the Levert family…Tim, Tasha, Elle, Zoe, and Ashton. This incredible family has Louisiana roots, but has lived in other states. They had been back in my neck of the woods for a few years following the Lord’s calling to plant a local church called Mustard Seed church after years in various ministries. In July of 2024, the fruit of a God-dream came to fruition. They opened Mustard Seed Creamery. Their desire was to be a blessing and benefit to their local community.
That’s where I come in. A friend told me about the creamery a couple of weeks after they opened. It immediately sounded like a place I would love. Little did I know, it would love me in return. Before I went, I did what we do in the 21st century. I scoped out all of the information on the internet. That’s totally normal, right? I found out about the church, where a few of my friends attend. I discovered everyone in the family is ridiculously talented and anointed in worship, playing instruments, and songwriting. Tasha is a gifted creative, communicator, and counselor. Tim is also a gifted communicator and leader. Each daughter has an abundance of gifts, talents, and skills. This family walks with such purpose.
The first time I walked into the creamery, it felt like home. There was this weighty peace that came over me. It was the place that I didn’t know I longed for. When I met Tasha, she felt safe to me. I couldn’t articulate or explain it at the time. I actually wanted her to come and speak to Baton Rouge’s chapter of Christian Women in Media. She was delighted to say yes to this request.
This all led to me essentially going to the creamery once or twice a week. I feel like I have found my very own Central Perk, Luke’s Diner, or Cheers. I walk in and everybody knows my name. There, I get to take a break from all my worries, and they are indeed, always glad I came. I finally have a place to hang out, a place where I will always be welcomed and wanted.
The welcome didn’t stop with Tasha. Her husband, all three of their adult daughters, two sons-in-law, a boyfriend, and a granddaughter all opened their arms and hearts to me. When I go to the creamery, I sit at the table with whichever family is working or just there at the time. Questions are asked and answered. Laughs are abundant. Puzzles are assembled. Dreams are dreamed. Memories are made. History and trust are being built.
I have had the joy of speaking words of life, hope, and encouragement into their lives. They, in turn, have prayed for and encouraged me. I was even invited to enjoy Tim’s famous gumbo and play games on Christmas Day.
Mustard Seed Creamery has become my safe space, but even more so, the Levert family has become a safe space for me. The past few years have been beyond painful when it comes to friendships. I have been hurt, disappointed, and disillusioned. Many times, I have been unseen, forgotten, and rejected. To love people well, (though admittedly not perfectly) and to have them not reciprocate that love has been devastating.
I have never been this lonely in all of my life. It has taken its toll on me. But God. He surprised me as only He could.
Galatians 6:10 is a verse that I return to often when I think of the family of God. “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (NIV). The main way the watching world around us knows that we belong to Christ is characterized by how we love one another.
This kind of love is filled with the fruit of the Spirit. It is loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. This is the love of Jesus at work within us and through us.
I have received this kind of love from the Levert family in abundance. I have been beyond blessed by this overflow. I have been adopted as a younger sister and auntie. Faces light up when I arrive. And I am missed if there is too much time in between visits.
It was the grace of God to gift me with a whole family to love and be loved by. It feels like the early church to me…giving and receiving, loving and being loved. There are no strings attached or unrealistic expectations. It feels like God’s heart for His Body that extends beyond the walls of a church building.
This dark world is indeed a brighter place because of the light that this family carries. I thank God for them and the love they have generously poured out in my life. I’m so grateful that the Lord knew I needed this gift.
If you have a friend who has become family, I’d love to hear about them. If you’re longing for one, I’d love to pray for you!
karina!! i have prayed numerous times over the years after reading your blogs here on incourage that you find this very type of friendship(s) – where there is reciprocal love and admiration. and i am sooo happy to read that God has answered this prayer for you! and may God bless us both with a SO to keep here soon too 🙂
Thank you Arian for reading and praying!!!
Really encouraging article. I am also going through a season of loneliness and have lost quite a few friends in the past 3 years whether due to them passing away, moving away or just seasons that changed. I would love to have friends again who feel like family.
Thank you for reading and sharing Barbara!
Father, draw near to her during this season. Be her peace, joy and comfort. Bring the right friends at the right time. May she trust Your timing and leading.
Karina,
Your mustard seed creamery family sounds absolutely lovely… As does the ice cream!
I’m so grateful you found true friends in Jesus!
Sending you spring joy, Lisa Wilt.
Thank you so much Lisa!!! I’m so grateful!!!
I have been so lonely for a close Christian friend. Someone to love, cherish, pray with, uphold. I’m elderly living in grammy-suite in home with daughter, son and 5 grandchildren. No transportation since my car died several months ago. But remain so lonely. Please pray for me. I know that Jesus is Emmanuel- God with me, always.
So lonely, Deborah
Thank you for sharing Deborah! You are close to the brokenhearted. Be her peace and comfort. Fill her with Your hope and strength. Open doors of connection with the Body at the right time. You’re good and faithful!
This type of community is something I am praying for.
Thank you for sharing Areum!
Jesus, You are our closest friend. May Areum know Your friendship first. May she trust you to bring the right community at the right time. You are good and faithful!
Dear Karina……………….Your story and words today was such a wonderful way to encourage me about my loneliness for the past 5 years. There are people that I know, but everyone is so busy, they don’t have time to even call me. I am 77 years old and was married for 55 years: however, it was not a marriage of love. My boyfriend at the time date raped me and even though I fought as hard as I could, I was no match for him and he got what he wanted and 3 weeks later I knew I was pregnant at 22 years old, just out of college and not even knowing what I wanted to go. This guy wanted to me to get an abortion as he said it would solve the whole problem, but I couldn’t do that. Back in the 60’s when these things happened, the woman was always blamed for what occurred and we were forced to get married. After a very difficult pregnancy where I almost lost the baby twice, I finally had a little baby boy. My husband was in the National Guard on active duty so he was not even there and couldn’t care less. I tell you this only as a background to how your words touched my heart. Fast forward many years and I realized that my husband’s mind was failing and he agreed at first, but after seeing 2 neurologists and their diagnosis was dementia, he said they were wrong and he was not going to take the medication or stop the drinking. I stayed with him for 3+ years and he abused me every single night until one night he tried to kill me. I was forced to have him evicted from our house of 40 years, due to thinking about my safety instead of his. I have 1 son and 1 grandson and my son would not support me in helping to convince his father that he needed to follow the doctor’s instructions and one night he just called me on the phone and told me I was a liar and he was disowning me as his mother and he and his wife would never allow me to see or speak to my grandson ever again. He was 11 then and 15 now. No communication. Talk about loneliness! I was crushed and all of my other relatives had left this Earth to a better place. There was no one. I have moved 3 times in the past 4 years and live in a facility with 100 residents. It is supposed to be Independent Living, but it is not. If people can pay the rent, they are accepted. Almost all of them have some serious medical problem and I have tried to talk to them, but they don’t understand of have very bad hearing and no hearing aids. It is not the place they told me about before I signed the lease. The (incourage) women and your community have saved me so many times and I would like it if you could pray for me Karina. You spoke about the Mustard Seed Creamery. My church donates to a Mustard Seed Ministry. Are there many of them? Thank you Karina for your story and how sweet the Lord was to help you find the perfect place and a family besides. I am so happy for you. I must go now as I need to do some things. Nobody here is allowed to help others so everything that needs to be done, I have to do myself. It does get harder the older I get, but I ask Jesus for some strength and He gives it to me so I get by day by day. Have a blessed day and I send my prayers and love to you………………………Sincerely, Betsy Basile
Thank you for sharing your hard things Betsy.
Jesus, be Betsy’s joy and strength. Bring healing and hope to her mind, body and emotions. Make a way where there hasn’t been in the way of community. You’re true to Your Word, good and faithful.
So good! It kind of reminds me of the neighbors I have. I have lived across the street from them for my whole life so far and they are like a second family to me.
I love that for you Courtney! That is a true treasure!!!
Blessings!
All I can say…. God is so good! Community, Body of Christ, is so important.
Yes and Amen Denise!!!