I don’t think that I’ve shared this with many of you but we started attending a new church about 2 years ago.  I had moved out to the small town after living in the big city and attending a charismatic mega-church, to attend my husbands ever so sweet, very traditional hymn singing church.  I’m not going to lie and say it wasn’t a little difficult for me, but that’s where he grew up and his family was.  So that’s where we went.  Well, pretty soon the church got smaller and smaller and our kiddos were about the only small children in the church.  There was no nursery or children’s programs and we decided for our family that it was best to look around for some more “young family” based chruch.  Not to say that I wanted to give up the older generation at all…I love the wisdom and dynamics they bring in as well:)

So we started attending a new church about 2 years ago.  We were instantly drawn to it because of their worship, their pastor and teachings, and the children’s ministry it had going.  But, ATTENDING A NEW CHURCH IS INTIMIDATING.  Anyone with me??  I mean it’s not if you wanna just come and go, and trust me…that’s what we did for about the first year.  But we desired more than that.  So eventually we would hang around after church very somewhat awkwardly and hope that we could meet some new people.  And we did, but it was still awkward.

That’s when I realized..Allie…you gotta jump out of the boat (my comfort bubble I was in) and start getting involved.  Just sign yourself up for a few things and get to know some ladies.  Now if you know anything about my personality, I love people, but I am also very intimidated by them.  Most people probably think I’m rude or full of myself, but in all actuality I’m shy and nervous of what they are going to think.  So starting completely over is very hard for me.

Fast forward another year.  We have now been attending this church for about 2 years and my prayer throughout was Lord, please bring some women into my life that I can learn from, grow with, and be mentored by.  I honestly didn’t think it was going to happen.  But GOD IS FAITHFUL!!  and He does hear our prayers!!

Stick with me here, as I go off on a bit of a tangent…trust me, it makes sense in the end:)  I was recently doing a Beth Moore study, and one of the titles of her video session was  “Between the Rains”   in her new James study.  She said how we go through rainy seasons, when the Lord feels so near, speaks to us, reveals himself to us, and we go through dry seasons, when we just can’t seem to feel God and wonder where he is.  It’s this time that she says our faith is tested.  In the dry season, between the rains.  And our faith has to make it through.  We have an evil force (Satan) in this world that so desires our faith to falter, but if we can just endure through the dry season, keep our faithfulness, another rain will soon come.

So back to my church story.  Basically for the last 2 years I felt like I was in a dry season.  I was so discouraged all of the time because I just couldn’t seem to get back to that place with the Lord where I once was.  Where I could feel his presence every day!! Some days I just wanted to give up trying…and I did.  But what a shame to let the enemy win.

Until a month ago.  I have to tell you I barely even know how it happened but I do know it involved a dear sweet friend of mine that drew me in from some of the first times we started to attend this church.  Before you know it I got involved with an amazing circle of women from all walks and ages that accepted me and welcomed me into their Bible Study.  I know this may not seem like a big deal to many of you, but I must say, I am just getting to know these women and I have never felt such an overwhelming Jesus love from people before like I have in this short time.  I have already grown to love them and praise the Lord for answering this prayer that I seemed to pray forever.

The other night I got to have dinner with this great group of ladies, and I got loved on in a major way.

I woke up at 2:30 in the morning with the heavens pouring down rain.  All I could do was cry.  The dry season is over.  God is so good!