Aren't our friends gorgeous? This is our SoulCare group.
As you know, I grew up in the church. I went to Sunday School, youth group and Bible camp. I attended a Christian college. I played basketball on a team that sang worship songs and prayed with our opponents... but before moving to Philadelphia,
I never experienced anything quite like SoulCare.
I think anyone who reads this blog has heard me mention SoulCare before.
We meet weekly to pray. We bombard each other's homes around 7:30 pm, the kids in their pajamas, snacks on the table. We do a short devotional together, usher the kids into the playroom, and then "divide up" for prayer.
The dads go to the basement or an upstairs bedroom and the moms (and baby Claire) spread out on the living room couches.
I love this time. We take turns talking about whatever, big or small, is going on that week. We've developed a little lingo... we talk about the "situation" and then, we talk about the "heart"---our heart before God, our functional faith, our view of God in the situation.
I've been in other SoulCare groups before, and they've all been special for different reasons, but this is why our current group is special:
- Meeting is a sacrifice. We're young families with young kids. We have busy lives and busy jobs. On SoulCare nights, everyone must get home, feed the kids, finish homework, clean the house, etc. etc. all in order to meet. Given the circumstances, the fact that these families faithfully choose to participate, despite the "inconvenience," shows me how much they care.
- We're eager to change. God has blessed this group with humble hearts. We know we need to be transformed and we're willing to put in the work.
- We're studying the Word. God has opened up opportunities, especially among the women, to be involved in Bible studies outside of SoulCare. This is huge. SoulCare is not a Bible Study. It's a prayer and accountability group. But at the same time, we must understand God's Word and bind it to our hearts if we want to experience the change we're praying for in the first place.
- We live close together. We're the rogues who live 45+ minutes away from church. Sometimes we miss church activities because its a long drive, but out here in the MainLine, we meet up for lunch, run into each other at the grocery store, take the kids for walks at Valley Forge...
- We're affectionate. Okay, well, I will speak for the girls on this one. I am appropriately not privy to the guy's interactions. But among the girls, we send each other encouraging text messages and call each other just to say 'hi.' When someone says she's praying for me, I know she means it.
In just a few weeks, Jeremy, Claire and I will be leaving this group, saying goodbye, and packing our bags for Middleboro. Leaving will be sad, but I think God is intentionally sending us out on a high-note.
When we return to Middleboro, Jeremy will be responsible for starting a small group ministry at First Congregational. It will undoubtedly look and operate a little differently, but I believe God wants us to use what we've learned at Seven Mile Road Church in Philadelphia to try something new in Middleboro.
SoulCare isn't always easy---in fact, it really only gets good because its usually hard---but its a beautiful way to live out the command to pray:
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (Colossians 4:2)
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep praying for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
Thank you, God, for our SoulCare group. Thank you for their
faithful friendship. Thank you that you're sending Jeremy, Claire and I to share this ministry with others. Please bless our efforts. Help us to be humble and sensitive to your leading in Middleboro. Please bring glory to Yourself in this upcoming phase of ministry.
