Posts tagged: outside the city gate

I have a circle of women to “do” life with. We have  trudged through the ups and downs of motherhood, milestones, joys, and losses.  We are call-in-the-middle-of-the-night, get-the-same-tattoo kinda gals. (Yes, there are 6 of us with a “sisterhood” symbol on our ankles. We’ll be able to track each other down in the retirement home someday.)

These women have loved me at my best, worst, and all the places in between.  I have tried to do the same for them. They are my people, my tribe, my sisters.

Community is hard.  It’s messy.

And it takes intention and a whole lot of vulnerability and forgiveness to keep loving each other through all our humanness.

Something I’ve realized through writing and connecting with women online is that so many do not have these sisterhoods.  We move a lot or are isolated by illness or fear or just the busyness of life.  Most write to me that they don’t have church doors that swing wide open to greet them on Sundays, a girlfriend to help pack boxes when they are in the process of moving, or a familiar face that shows up in the hospital room before surgery (with a gift of leopard pajamas.)

Women are more connected than ever with devices and social media. But loneliness is rampant.

InCourage Community Groups are one way women are reaching out to each other, using social media to do what it was intended to do all along:  connect us.

I’ve been part of an (in)courage writing group and it has bolstered me in ways I needed as I got brave in the writing world.

So this time around I’ve teamed up with another writer friend to lead an online group. Tammy and I (attempted) a little vlog to tell you a bit about our new tribe which will begin connecting next week and can be found here.  Our group is specifically for women without a church community, but there are options with {in}courage groups for every season of life.

Find one and go introduce yourself.

Even if you’re blessed like I am with a strong network where you are, extend your circle.  We are always better together.

{And oh…if you could see the hyena-laughter in the blooper reel on this one?~~ priceless.  Thanks for grace as 2 non-tech savvy ladies try to get real up in here}:

p.s. You do not need to be a writer. No matter what your passion or season in life may be, there is an (in)couragers community group for you. There are over 70 groups to choose from. I invite you to join me and many other women by registering today for the encouragement our hearts all need. You will be blessed.

To view all the community groups and pick one that’s just right for you, click here.

Our group for “Women Outside a Church Community” can be found here.