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Dearly Beloved,

OH BABY! As many of you know, I am about to give birth to my second daughter. I’m in this season of nesting and preparing, so in many ways, to me, it feels like spring has sprung. What an exciting time of year, where everything feels new and fresh. It’s beautiful to me that I’m going to welcome a baby into the world right as spring comes, and right around Easter too, where we celebrate NEW LIFE.

I’ve been preparing for this new addition to our family, not only physically, but also mentally. If you’ve ever given birth before, then you know those weeks, months, and even years following can be so hard. Not only on your body, but on your mind. And while motherhood is (in my opinion) one of the most beautiful things in the world, it can also feel quite isolating at times. It isn’t something that you want to do alone. I remember feeling so isolated after having Charlie. I was simultaneously lonely and filled with such beautiful purpose every day.

We are not meant to live this life alone. It is not how God has designed us. We need relationships with people. And this goes for everyone, not just mothers.

You know the saying, it takes a village? It’s very true. But have you ever felt like it’s so hard to find your village? I have!

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know about a mom’s group that’s been happening at our church. It has brought me, personally, so much life, and I know it’s done the same for other moms who feel lonely and isolated in the trenches of motherhood.

Every Tuesday morning, a group of moms meet in the basement of the church. Our toddlers & babies play together, and we get the opportunity to connect with one another, pray for one another, talk about life, faith, the Bible, loneliness -- all the things. And this group has been GROWING!

I’ll be honest, I was nervous to go at first. I consider myself an introvert and also the type of personality where I can easily convince myself that “I don’t need help." But can I tell you how life-giving it has been for me? Just getting the opportunity to be with other moms and realize that I’m not the only one going through these things!

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It doesn’t have to be structured. It’s just about being together and watching how God will use those moments of connection to minister to our hearts.

If you’re a mom and you would like to join us, please do! We would love to have you. I want you to know today, you are not alone, and you don’t have to walk through any of this alone. Not only is Jesus with you, but there are people who would love to walk alongside you in whatever it is you find yourself struggling with. We’ve all been there. There is no shame in the struggle.

Our group meets every Tuesday morning at 9:30 am at the church.

If you’re not a mom, but you know a mom who could use some community, please encourage them to join us.

Would you be praying for us? Pray for the moms in our group. Thank God for how many women He has already brought together, and pray that more would come.

If you’ve made it this far and you’ve thought, this dearly beloved is nice, but it doesn’t really have anything to do with me. Can I challenge you for a moment? Do you have people in your life that you can go to in times of need? Do you have people in your life you can be vulnerable with and talk about hard things with?

You were not meant to live this life alone. We need each other! Especially in the trenches of life. We need DNA relationships. If you don’t know, one of the four things we’re called to at CPC is DNA relationships — Discipling, Nurturing, and Accountability. These take effort, intentionality & vulnerability. But they bring so much life and help us become more and more like Jesus.

Another value of ours at CPC is called “The First and Best Plan,” meaning we value family. Genesis 1:28, “God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth.’” The very beginning of creation was centered around a family. The hope of this group is to support and strengthen mothers. God wants to see healthy families, and so do I. And I think in order for that to happen, we need moms who feel strengthened, supported, encouraged, and who don’t feel lonely or like they are drowning.

Families matter to God. Moms matter to God. Dads matter to God. Children matter to God.

People matter to God. YOU matter to Him.

Pray for us. Pray for the young families in our church. Because God is bringing them here to CPC, and we couldn’t be more excited about it!

Pastor Abi