It Takes a Village.

It takes a village, and sometimes a communal bath. 

Andrew and I have a one-year-old and a three-year-old. We have been blessed with two boys who are full of life and personality. There is never a dull moment around our house and honestly in our mid 30s they wear us out. Aside from living in a constant state of tired, we also live in this constant state of joy. These boys bring us so much laughter so much adventure and so much chaos in the best ways possible for the most part! 

But… there are days where it is not all sunshine and rainbows. There are days when schedules get tight, communication gets twisted, or the boys are just having some of those terrible toddler moments. There are days when we feel tired or overstimulated or we just feel like our cup doesn’t have much to pour out. And living in a small house, there are days where we quite literally have just had enough of each other for whatever the reason maybe.

And that is when I am so incredibly thankful for my community. 

This year in our podcast, you’ve heard us talk a lot about Godly relationships, and the importance of having communities surrounding us based on faith. I’ll be honest, this wasn’t always a priority for me or a requirement when searching for close friends. Honestly, Godly community wasn’t a priority for us until we found out we were pregnant. 

Upon finding out about our eldest, it became a huge priority in our lives, because although we can separate right from wrong, our children can’t. Although we know when someone is hurt and hurting other people, our children don’t. Surrounding them with Godly community is not just a way to raise them with God’s love and in His light, but it is also a way to protect them from the hurt and the pain of this world while we are still in control. 

Since 2023, God has blessed us with the most amazing community. He has brought friends and their littles into our lives in the most unexpected and unplanned for ways. It has been so beautiful, so life-giving to all the members of my little family. 

One of my favorite traditions to come of this little community is Supper Club on Monday nights. When people hear I have a social engagement on Monday nights they’re always surprised. Mondays are hard and getting back into routine is hard … so putting a social aspect on it is just another layer of hard to most people. 

But for us, it is a blessing.

My husband has Bible study on Monday nights with a group of guys who happen to be husbands of a lot of my girlfriends. While the husbands are away, we are left with the kiddos, dinner, cleanup, and bedtime all on our own. And that is a lot of work after a long Monday. 

Enter the idea of Monday Night Supper Club. 

Mondays are hard, doing them alone are even harder. BUT doing them with community makes them a lot easier. 

Now on Mondays, we rotate houses. All the kids get to play as us moms get to sit on the couch for a minute. We take turns cooking and cleaning, and we put our kids in PJs before we make the trek home. It takes so much pressure off Monday and honestly, it gives me something to look forward to throughout the day.

A day of the week that I used to dread has become one of my favorite days.

As I sit and write this blog on a Tuesday morning with a full cup and think about how truly grateful I am for Supper Club and the women that God has surrounded me with, my heart breaks for the women who are doing this alone. 

Finding community is not easy. I think it is hard making friends in a busy world. I hope this quick little insight inspires you to step outside of the box though - to push through the hard. & to try something new and search for your Godly community. 

Find a friend where you can show up and know that even if your kids get covered in mud, there will be a warm dinner and warm bath waiting for them. 

Find a friend who has been in your season and can provide advice and comfort during your current trials. 

Find a friend willing to laugh at the mess, step over the toys and still give you a hug. 

Find a friend who loves your babies like they are their babies. 

When I was looking for community, I prayed every day. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would take over and use my discernment to help me find the right women at the right times. 

I’ll be honest again and say each one of these women didn’t become immediate best friends, but when you let the Holy Spirit lead, he will put a piece of curiosity to get to know someone in your mind and extra empathy in your heart. You’ll know it’s right when the conversations circle back to God and always leaves you feeling stronger than when they started. 

The KJV of Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

I know the women God has surrounded me with have made me a better Christian, wife, mother, and friend. 

I challenge you to vulnerably pray for the change. Pray for community that surrounds you, supports you, and challenges you. You won’t regret it.

God’s Love & Mine,

Christina