It was about eight years ago when I began thinking about what I would be doing after my children graduated and began moving on with their lives. I had always loved to write, and as I prayed for God’s direction and purpose for me, that is one place He led me to.

Soon after, I joined COMPEL. COMPEL is a writer’s training program through Proverbs 31 Ministries. Through this program, I began meeting others who had the heart to write as well. The more I got involved, the more I made other friends. Soon after, I began leading one of our Facebook groups, and my community there has grown immensely.

This community has taught me things I did not know; they have encouraged me when I have been discouraged. These sweet friends had cheered me on, given me honest feedback on my writing, and pushed me forward when I wanted to quit.

It was about thirteen years ago; we began praying for a new place to go to church. A job at a church became available for my husband. We took a year to attend and pray for God’s wisdom and discernment about whether this was the place for us to be.

I was in a lonely place in life. I got involved and went to as many activities as I could so I could meet people. I made some friends who have become family and found a place where God could use me.

This community has taught me things I did not know about God and myself. They have loved me, included me, and allowed me to use my gifts in a way I didn’t know could be used. They have encouraged me when I have been discouraged, prayed for me when I have needed prayer, and they have cheered me on forward when I have wanted to quit.

We NEED each other! Share on X

I know that if I had not gotten involved in the community of writers at COMPEL, I am sure that I would have quit by now. My fears of failure and rejection are overwhelming. The enemy fills my mind with lies about not being good enough to do what God is calling me to do. He reminds me of old words spoken to me. My community speaks words of truth and life. They are not always easy words but words I need to hear. They speak words that help me grow and encourage me to walk in faith and not fear.

I know that when we went to the Christian Hill Community Church, I was dying inside. I had to know there was more to this Christian life than what I was experiencing. There was an emptiness inside God used this community to fill up. There have been times when the enemy’s lies have been loud, and this community has encouraged me and spoken words of truth and life to me that have helped me grow in my walk with Jesus. This community has helped me grow in ways that I can now share with others.

Sometimes we think we are lone soldiers. We want to accomplish everything on our own. We feel weak if we need other people to help us. Share on X

God knew we needed each other. He knew it in the Garden of Eden when He said Adam needed a helper and created Eve.

Do you have a community around you, or have you been trying to live this life on your own?

What keeps you from pursuing others?

If you have a community, would you share what that has meant to you?

I pray that we can be a community for you here, at A Renewed Creation, but also that you would have a local Church family community near you. We are not perfect people, but I know that with God’s help and His love in us, we can love and encourage each other well in the community of the Body of Christ.

^“ For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him.Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11