While I could be talking about some epic tantrum my sugar and spice four-year-old redhead has been known to have, this time I’m actually talking about me. (And you are welcome that I chose not to use an unhappy photo of myself here. 🙂 )

And while I could be tantruming over recently “unfair” things in life like learning my cancer is still here, our downstairs flooding, or our school district cutting the language immersion program my son loves, I’m going to share about a different one.

I was comfortable with my church small group. We had been together over 2 years. And I assumed it wouldn’t change. But God had other plans. Man, he keeps changing the plans, doesn’t He?

Now you might be thinking that a “church small group” is nothing to tantrum over. But if you’ve ever experienced a group of people really doing life together, you get it.

One day our group of amazing couples seemed solid and like we’d be together forever. And then in 2 days we had fallen apart. It was no one’s fault. It was lots of circumstances changing for many of the couples at the same time. And something I thought was stable, now wasn’t. I mourned its passing. Seriously, my husband had to pull me out of a funk.

Yet we knew how important it was to be involved in a group. So Brandon started searching. He came up with 2 options that fit our stage of life. I really wasn’t happy with either, only because change and I are not often friends.

I finally said, fine, let’s join the so-and-so group. I then told Brandon that I basically already knew I wouldn’t like the group as the format was different on how often they met, but what the heck. I know- way to be an adult about the whole thing. (Now, I must also clarify that the group we decided to join was run by dear friends of ours. I was just still reeling from a loss I was convinced should have never happened, and completely acting like a 4 year old.)

Fast forward about 8 months. This group of people that I joined while kicking and screaming are now my life-line. Four of the families are at our same school. And we didn’t previously know all of them. One lives in our neighborhood. And they are all just what I needed during this time when life is throwing me lots of things worthy of a tantrum. They have been beyond generous to help us, but more importantly, we have done life together. We are all a blessing to each other like I never imagined; all to God’s glory. I even like the new meeting format- go figure.

The group has even grown since we started, and it’s awesome. (Pictured above are just some of our fab kiddos.)

God picked me up (kicking and screaming) and placed me and my family exactly where we needed to be; for such a time as this. And I am forever grateful.

Changes are still hard, yet I pray and try to get to the point where I can say, “I don’t get it God, but I trust you”.

Oh, and join a church small group. It will change your life.

Embrace Life