"I am so isolated this year," I grumbled as I sat down at my kitchen table with my Bible and a cup of coffee.  I stared for a minute out the window.  Snow again!  That just added to my sour mood.

This year I made a big change in my routine; instead of being in a group of mature Christian women for my weekly Bible study, I am now surrounded by brand new believers and many women who have never cracked a Bible in their lives.  Over the summer, I really heard the Lord telling me to move into this new ministry in our church that was aimed at mothers.  He set a passion in my heart and a desire to encourage these new moms in Christ. 

To my surprise, I was asked to fill a position within the ministry that would have me "over see" 12 small group leaders (shepherds - we call them).  I get to pray for and with them, teach them, encourage them and visit with them through the year.  After some prayer over the matter, I felt this opportunity was from God and I needed to be obedient. Part of my job that I love is to lead a "huddle" each morning before the study begins.  In these huddles I encourage the shepherds and pray for them.  What a joy that has been.    What I hadn't thought through was how lonely it would be.

No longer do I have those incredibly challenging discussions where women are sharing what the Lord taught them that week.  Now I sit in a circle with 90% of the moms saying they didn't have time to read their Bibles this week.  No longer am I enganged in heart changing prayer times of praise, confession and thanksgiving.  Now I am the only one willing to pray out loud.  No longer am I with a woman who will hold me accountable for my pride and my lying tongue.  Now, just the word "accountability" will send the women running for the door.

So, I have been enganged in a bit of a pity party the last few weeks.  Poor me - I am not being "fed".  The Lord has spoken to me a few times this week, through Oswald Chambers, Anne Graham Lotz, and Jill Briscoe, to say just because I "feel" isolated does not give me the right to grumble and complain about my situation.  I must keep following Jesus. So, that's what I intend to to.

Back to this morning.  I sit down with my steaming cup of joe - open my Bible to Acts to begin a new study I bought over the weekend, when the phone rings.  I LOVE caller ID!!  I look at the name - I recognized it as one of my shepherds.  I haven't talked much with this particular woman; she is very shy and we are usually heading in different directions when we run into each other.  I hesitated - "I really want to just do my study and enjoy my coffee." But, I answered, hoping it would be a quick question. 

"Traci?  This is Paula.  I wanted to share something with you, do you have a moment?"

"Sure - what's up?"

Paula goes on to tell me how she was so moved by a scripture verse I referenced during yesterday's huddle.  It was Psalm 8:2, "From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praises because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger."  I had used this verse when a friend was holding my 4 month old as he babbled away while we were trying to pray.  Little did I know that it was just what Paula needed to hear.

Paula has a miracle baby - you know, that child that was never supposed to come (you're too old to have a baby), the one that was supposed to have problems (you are at such high risk, are you sure you want to continue with this pregnancy?), the one that would never talk (it looks like there may be some developmental delays).  But Paula remained faithful and has loved her daughter no matter what!

A year ago, Paula took her baby girl into the sactuary at chruch - it was dark, no one was in there - and as soon as that little girl looked at the pulpit, she began "singing"!  That baby was singing a hymn of praise to God!  Paula said, "She knew that God was there and she wanted to praise Him with all her might."

Paula had never heard that verse before and when I so casually used it to humorously explain my son's babbling, she was overcome with emotion.  Her mind went back to that day in the sanctuary and it was as if God was affirming for her that yes, that baby was praising God.  Paula thanked me for sharing that verse with her and this morning she had some quiet time to meditate upon it. 

That phone call was a true gift.  I am not alone, I am still part of the body of Christ.  I am being used by God when I don't even realize it - and in turn, others are being used to minister to me.  What an awesome God we serve.  He knew I needed that phone call today while He also knew that Paula needed that verse yesterday. 

Thank you, Father.  You know us all so intimately.  You amaze me how you can work in my life and know exactly what I need while you are also working in somone else's life and knowing exactly what they need.  I stand in awe of  You!  Amen.