Gifts; Tables and Couches

It was warm summer night when two dear ladies entered my home. We sat in the living room; them with drinks to sip and a baby to bounce between them and me with some towels to finish folding. We talked about our lives, about God, about hard things and funny things.  It was here that we learned how to pray for one another. 

Recently, I sat in other woman's home, this time with me drinking tea and she folding the laundry. But again, we talked. And again, we learned how to pray for each other. 

I am so thankful for my own couch and table but also for the couches and tables of my friends. It is here, sisters-in-Christ, that we see life through another's eyes. It is here that we learn the struggles and joys of others and it is here that we learn what to take to the throne of grace when we pray for our church families. 

It is because of these times that I can now pray that Sheila would have grace to love and enjoy her children, that Marcy would have strength for her difficult job, that Ann would find joy in her home again, that Stacy would have the self-control to do her devotions, that Alana would be free from anxiety, that God would be near to Charis in her loneliness. The list goes on. 

We need to make time for this and be intentional about it. In order to have someone sit at my table I must invite them to come, I must be open and comfortable so it's easy for them to come. In order of me to sit on someone else's couch they need to invite me to go and I need to leave my own comfortable home to be in theirs. It can be scary. What will she think of my house? What if my child is bad and I have to discipline him while she's here? What if she doesn't talk? 

But sister, how can I pray for you if I do not know what you need? How can I pray for Jane and her unbelieving child if I do not know that her child doesn't have a relationship with God? How can you pray for me unless you know my struggles and joys? 

How are we to grow in unity and love if we are not living intentionally-intersecting-lives? Praying for each other? 

I know no other way. 

And I am thankful that because we are all redeemed sinners with the Holy Spirit inside of us, I can be raw with my sisters in the faith. Where there is grace, judging others fades away. Together we can grow to be more like Jesus. I am thankful that we don't need to wear masks because the cross tells us exactly who we really are; dead sinners made alive by grace. It is all God. It is all grace. 

Yes, it's very hard. And yes, it's scary. 

But it is so worth it. God has blessed us with tables and couches. Let us trust Him. And use them.