Just show up

My friend Rachel started a small book group at a local coffee shop. We met for the first time to talk about Christmas books. It was a random choice and I truly believed it would be just her and me, chatting at the coffee shop, but then something wonderful happened...
People showed up.
I went home excited and came back the next month with my book in tow, But I steeled myself, again ready for a chat session between just her and I. I mean, once was nice, but surely no one would show up a second time??? That would be crazy talk, right?
Then it happened, again. People showed up.
It sounds like such a small thing. Showing up. In this giant universe, me showing up is relatively insignificant, don't you think? But it does matter.
I'm not saying you need to fill your calendars with social engagements and wear yourself down trying to show up for everything and anything. I've walked that road. It's not fun and it's definitely not doable for long.
In fact, last night, I was the person who didn't show up. I skipped book group. I needed a moment. My husband needed a moment. My family needed a moment. And that's ok.
But, I want you to know that showing up really does matter.
I have rarely felt so encouraged as when I left those book groups. It's that satisfying sense of knowing that someone else thought something mattered as much as you did. Someone valued time with you, with the community that gathered, and the thoughts that were shared. Time has value and when we give it to people, we say,

You matter. You are valued.

Let's take this conversation to church. Showing up.
Tiny, seemingly insignificant, but the most powerful thing you can do in the Body of Christ.
Show up.
Amazing things happen in the act of showing up.
But just do it, in His grace. Just show up.

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