An Open Letter to my Small Group Leaders
- Bailey
- Jun 5, 2015
- 3 min read
Dear Small Group Leaders,
Eight years ago you became part of the gravity that grounds me. Through life, faith, and truth. Eight years ago we became family and God’s love got wild.
Dearest small group leader of mine, you endured it all for the crown set before you. Our elementary carelessness, middle school gracelessness, high school craziness, you loved–even liked–us through it all. I am convinced there is a crown in glory for that.
Ten year-old humor, seventh grade drama, college preparation. Braces, glasses, crazy hair, gangly legs, neon bows, BFF necklaces. Moving schools, losing jobs, anxiety attacks, divorce, death, loss for words, fights. You loved us even then.
You made all the difference in the world, sweet leader. With advice, with real talk, with experience, oh my soul with time. You poured hours and weekends and late nights and years into me, into us. You pursued the relationship to the end and beyond.
Counselor. Teacher. Hostess. Mentor. Friend. Mom. Disciple. Adviser. Prayer Warrior. Cheer Leader. Coach. Biggest Fan. Rock. Listener. Shoulder to Cry On.
Four years ago, you, my other incredible small group leader, you flew into this family from a sunnier, cooler place. Jesus sent you walking into the mess of tangled up hearts and intertwined fingers, and you said yes to doing life with us.
Thank you for saying yes.
Thank you for following the Lord and making that decision. Treasured always in my heart, your commitment speaks louder than any words. Giving 100%, you loved well–fiercely and expressively.
Sweetest small group leader, you hosted us in your home, you treated us as your own–making sure we were always well fed, always deeply encouraged.
My two small group leaders, thank you. Thank you for listening to the hard and the hurt and to the silly and the petty. Thank you for advising and counseling. Thank you for approaching the Throne on my behalf. Thank you for never going halfway, but always the extra mile. Thank you for eight years of memories.
Writing this, I think into the future about what is in store, Lord willing. I think and I know this path is absolutely shaped by God’s work through you both. God has used you in extraordinary, magnificent ways in this life of mine.
Bolstering me in times of weakness, holding me in times of pain, supporting me in times of triumph, and praying for me in every time, you have been a vessel used to mold me into a pursuer of Christ.
Jesus carved out a special spot in this heart for you both.
Running headlong into this next adventure, I know you both will always have my back. Ever open will your arms and hearts remain. That is something I don’t ever take lightly because complete acceptance, unconditional love, this side of heaven is rare.
Rare and beautiful.
As a season draws to a close and we say goodbye, I recognize that nothing will be the same. Ever. We won’t be sitting in a circle in a closet-sized room sharing life every Sunday night anymore. We won’t have coffee (or pizza, or froyo, or Doba) dates anymore. We won’t attend concerts together anymore and we won’t spend nights at your houses anymore. We won’t adventure through Pine Cove anymore. That season is gone.
But all of this has made it possible to start something new. My dear small group leaders, you taught well. Loved intensely. Graced much. God has used you mightily to invest wisdom in ways no one else can, to encourage hearts in ways no one else could. You have instilled a confidence and courage that makes starting a new chapter like it ain’t no thing. Thank you.
You have influenced the way I influence. I am me because of you. Because God chose you two specifically and purposefully to say the exact words that would pierce my heart at the exact time, I can step boldly forward into this journey.
Thank you, Jesus, for this wild joy-ride.
Thank you, heaven-sent small group angels that changed my life, you rock.
Ever yours,
