"Better Together"
Mentor Mom Moment with Barb Abrams
“So that by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company.” Romans 15:32
As we gear up for another year at MOMS, I want to welcome each of you and encourage you to make our Tuesday morning gatherings a priority this year. Not because you paid the dues or
signed the forms, but because we need each other.
I’m doing a devotional with a couple of friends and it has been such a blessing to me. Not only
being in God’s word every day, but to have the accountability, fellowship, encouragement and
perspective of these dear ladies in my life. A recent entry was especially good; I’ll share a few
paragraphs.
“I am refreshed in Christ by fellowship with other believers – even when my prideful soul balks
at showing up, when my schedule tried to convince me I’m too busy, when my shame chides
me and tells me to hide my faults from others. My stubborn pride makes me try to live
independently, as if I don’t need the help or encouragement of others. I have excuses piled high
as to why I don’t have time for fellowship, but experience has proven time and time again that
joy comes not from doing life alone, but from depending on God as I am refreshed by fellow
believers. I’ve learned the hard way that we aren’t made to journey the twists and turns of life
on our own. We are made for gospel-centered fellowship.
In Romans 15, Paul urges believers to ‘welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for
the glory of God’ (v. 7). A nomad of sorts, Paul knew the importance of Christian fellowship. As
he poured out his life and faced persecution while traveling and preaching the gospel to
Gentiles, he refreshed his soul in the Lord by enjoying the company of the local church (vv. 20,
32). The Greek word for refreshed in Romans 15:32 signifies rest received not in solitude, but in
the company of others. We gather strength and regain stamina to keep living on mission by
resting, or refreshing, with believers.
The simple act of meeting together, whether seated on a patch of shaded grass, in a church
pew, on your friend’s couch, or in a local coffee shop, is, by God’s design, a means of refreshing
our souls. As we listen to each other’s stories, weeping tears of grief when sorrow befalls our
friends and rejoicing in laughter with hugs of gratitude when prayers are answered, we
experience the grace and mercy of Jesus – his hands and feet made evident in the body of
Christ. Our gathering together becomes a form of linking arms through lives shared because we
know that in Christ, we truly are better together.” (Author: Gretchen Saffles; Refreshed, A
Devotional for Women in Dry Seasons.)
Ladies, I’m so glad each and every one of you took the step to sign up for MOMS, to pack up those kiddos and make the trek here. I know it’s not easy, but I pray the connections you make this year will be encouraging, lifelong and refreshing for your soul.
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