To my precious readers… Today,  I linked with precious, beautiful others at The Gypsy Mama , who prompts writers with a word. Today it is COMMUNITY. Then we have just 5 minutes to let the words flow, unhindered, from our hearts. Here is my 5 minutes worth.

I have said it so many times, I wonder if people will think I don’t really mean it. I never expected blogging to be like this. I did not expect such healing — such love. I never thought it would be this good. Not my writing — I am still working on that part. But the community I am finding here in this place. Woman, who are complete strangers, and after a few electronic words exchanged, feel like lifelong friends. Others I have known awhile, but haven’t really known — now those relationships blossoming.

What you may not know is how long I spent in hiding, afraid of you — afraid of showing you who I really was. Hiding the shame, the weakness the insecurity — fearful if I showed myself unveiled you would decide you didn’t like what you saw.

A revelation of God’s love — perfect — cast that fear away.

My heart is overflowing with so much love and joy these past few weeks as I am meeting more of you. I’m convinced now — this connecting, community, hearts-bare, grace-filled, God-breathed relationships are for His purpose– to strengthen, empower, and encourage us so that we may fulfill our call to bring the Gospel of Grace to the lost and hurting and wounded.

So when I say, my heart is full from knowing you, I mean it. When I say I treasure your words I am sincere. When I say your encouragement strengthens me, it’s true. When I say I am praying for you in this moment, know that I am.

When I say that I am blessed to know you, and I am grateful — I mean it wholeheartedly.