This was a lovely essay. So lovely, in fact, that it made me wistful. It is the kind of group I so longed for as a young mom but which constantly eluded me. I always entered a group too late - after all the relationships had been forged, so to speak. I always felt like an outsider, even though it wasn’t malicious on their part. It just seemed the nature of the beast. Women in groups are insecure - more so I find than simply one on one. This insecurity about their thoughts, their quality as a mom, and their deep need to be accepted sometimes leads to mischief of all kinds - in no way appealing to be around. I settled for going it alone in the end or one on one sorts of friendships.

But Emily saw something beautiful here. When the women are rooted in Christ and shine out from Him to each other and beyond, the group dynamic changes. It filled me with hope. It may have eluded me in my time, which I now see as providential, but I pray this kind of community can be found by all young moms starting out and take hold and flourish!