An interesting thing happened to me the other night. As many of you know, we recently moved to a new community in a new town. With that comes the challenging process of getting plugged in. All of the things that seemed so familiar where we used to live, such as the market, banks, hair dressers and even gas stations are new and different. Meeting new friends and finding new places that we like and feel comfortable with takes time, but we have been confident that God is guiding us and placing us right where He wants us to be.

Part of our process of making our new town feel like home has been looking for a church. We want to be where we see God moving and where we feel God has a place for us. Fortunately, this area has quite a few wonderful churches where Christ is honored and God’s word is taught! Well, this past Monday evening, there was a Bible study held at one of the nearby churches. Even though we hadn’t attended this particular church (yet) on Sunday morning, the study looked interesting and the church inviting when I found it online. I thought this might be a good place to start to connect. 

I decided to pocket the nervousness I often feel when going someplace I have never been before and headed out to the study. I love the GPS in my phone that directed me right to the church’s doorstep, which was only 10 minutes away. I wasn’t sure which building the study was in, so I simply followed other women I saw walking toward what I assumed was the place! My assumptions were correct and I soon found myself inside a room with about 150 other women waiting for the Bible study to begin. 

A very nice hostess walked me to a table and introduced me to the ladies seated there. I instantly felt comfortable. Now here is the interesting part… As I looked around the room, everyone seemed familiar! It was an odd, but comforting feeling to see faces that somehow looked like ones I had known all my life. There were even a few women who, when I had eye-contact with them across the room, seemed to share the same instant recognition with me. My usual anxiety of meeting new people was gone and I felt no shyness speaking with the ladies around me. I could feel God in that place.

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).

That interesting phenomenon got me thinking about the Body of Christ and how important it is to meet together as believers. I could find no other explanation for the comfort I was feeling while seated in a room full of strangers, except that He was there. I sensed His presence and felt that the others in the room knew Him, too. We had all gathered with the same purpose – to grow deeper in our relationship with Him and to connect as fellow sisters-in-Christ.

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, 
are one body, so it is with Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:12).

I am excited to see where God is going to lead me through this study and the gathering of these women. As I travel with Him, I am always encouraged and always grow. “Coincidentally”, the study is about going on a journey with God and finding our Promised Land. And, what better way is there than to be on the journey with other members of the Body of Christ? 

Feeling blessed,






16 Comments

  1. How wonderful that you felt and home and peace within your new community! We recently moved and have found a new church we haven't gotten plugged in yet, but I am anxious to. For me it's the best way to feel settled in a new place. I'm discovering there are no strangers in God's kingdom :)

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  2. oh wonderful, Joan. I praise God for His beauty, knowing what you needed perfectly. I pray that as you settle you will make many, many new friends, as I'm sure they will love you, as I do you. x

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  3. I agree - getting plugged in to a new church community of believers is the best way to feel at home and settled in! I love how as we are joined by our faith it is easy to make friends.


    Blessings, Joan

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  4. Hi Anita!


    It is such a comfort to know that there are no strangers in the Body of Christ! God's perfect plan included His presence always among us!


    Blessings, Joan

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  5. I am so thankful that you had such a wonderful experience. Praying God will bring you some amazing women that you can truly call "friend".

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  6. Thank you, Barbie! I'm excited to see what God is going to do, too!


    Blessings, Joan

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  7. Isn't God just awesome! I've heard people say we shouldn't be amazed, but hey, I'M AMAZED by my AMAZING God... So happy you were so super blessed :)

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  8. God definitely is Awesome! I love when we are surprised by His greatness - even in the little things, you know? Have a blessed day, Joan

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  9. Stepping out of your comfort zone opened up this whole new world of connection. Thanks for sharing your journey. You inspire me!

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  10. Yes...even though this was a new place I knew that going to a study was what I should do and I felt God's leading to move forward. And what a blessing I received when I obeyed Him!


    Blessings to you Val! Joan

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  11. Kathy SchwankeJune 20, 2013

    Goodness! I haven't hopped around blogs enough to keep up. Thank you for visiting me today! This post reminds me of something my friend Sheri said when she asked me to meet with her friend who was struggling. "The blood of Christ makes strangers friends (or sisters-I can't remember)"



    I love that fellowship in the Body means instant relationship! Love how God connects us.
    Btw, I did attend She Speaks in 2008 and gleaned lots! So thankful to be going back and will definitely report about it!

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  12. I know what you mean...there are so many fantastic blogs "out there" and I try to keep up, but often am quite behind! That's why I was pleased that it "only" took me about 2 weeks to find your new blog! lol Anyway, I also love how Christ joins all believers together through His sacrifice. What a blessing to be loved by Him and to be part of the Body of Christ!


    I pray that your time at the conference is truly beneficial and that you are blessed by attending!


    In Him, Joan

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  13. Pamela KuhnJune 26, 2013

    How exciting -- I've experienced that "instant recognition." One of my favorite verses from teenage years is "I will go before you and make the crooked places straight." I hope you will experience more straightening of your way.

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  14. Thanks Pamela! I loved how I felt so comfortable there! When I went for the second week (this past Monday) I felt even more welcomed! Thank you for your prayers - God is so good!


    Blessings, Joan

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  15. charlotte71June 27, 2013

    God knows how to help us know when something is right for us. This is a perfect illustration. Thank you for sharing.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  16. We just need to keep our eyes open to His leading and trust in HIm!

    Blessings, Joan

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