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I walked up the driveway into home group feeling apprehensive and nervous. New in town and to the church, the invitation had been extended only yesterday. But entering the house produced an immediate calming effect despite the evident busyness going on. It was cold outside and the room was warm not only from the heat of the fireplace but from the ambiance of the people inside. Elena, the hostess bustled around the living room passing out cookies. They smelled fresh baked. Her husband, who was the leader, already had his Bible open and was seated next to the fireplace, studiously going over the topic which would soon be taught and discussed. There were about four married couples but also a few singles in the group and though all seemed to be of different ages and types, they got on comfortably together, socializing and telling each other stories from their week. Children of all sizes seemed to be coming in and out of the room. After making a bit of small talk everyone settled down for a game. Apparently every week a new game was played as an icebreaker before the actual study started. The game this week was Catchphrase and as the beeping device flew from hand to hand around the room and people shouted their best guesses, laughter decorated the air.
Elena already had her Christmas Tree up and a toy train wound around the trunk. The children of the group played contentedly nearby, looking up every once in a while to see what had made their parents so amused. When the game ended (the girls winning again, as evidently was the norm)they were gracefully ushered to another room. It was time to dig into the Bible study. Ben calmed everyone down, getting them into focus by opening with a prayer. An older lady reached into her purse and pulled out two pairs of reading glasses, putting one pair on and handing the other to her husband. These two seemed more like one, so comfortably and familiarly interacting with each other. They even had a similar appearance as if day by day they grew more alike.
Revelations was what was being studied. Only a few minutes into the Bible reading, there were interruptions, almost everyone full of questions. Ben, newly ordained in ministry answered them beautifully while keeping everyone on track. The newlyweds in the group paid rapt attention, even taking notes. A strange and scruffy thirty-some man scratched his head thoughtfully as Ben explained some of the more complex imageries in this difficult chapter. A retired pastor in the group shared his own depth and insight gained from gifted wisdom from his years of experience, to the conversation which had developed.
Finally, the meeting closed. Again a prayer was led this time after taking requests. Although nothing spectacular had taken place, I knew an inclusion into something special had been offered.. Here was a group of people who by choice gathered weekly to encourage, play, learn and pray with each other. Hugs were exchanged along with “See you next week”s. Here truly were brothers and sisters in Christ and this truly could be considered home.
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