Creating Community
Over the years, our kids used to tease my husband and me that we never socialized. I had friends, but I rarely did much with them. In our defense, when you’re actively parenting multiple children, building careers, running a small business—and doing all the things—there isn’t much room left over. My priority was always my family.
Fast forward to the past couple of years: as the kids moved out, graduated college 🎓, and started their own schedules, I suddenly found myself with a little more “free time.” Looking back, I probably should have prioritized face-to-face time with friends, but I did stay connected to my small circle daily.
Early in 2024, I began feeling a nudge to “create community” in our neighborhood 🏡. We only have about 18 houses, but we didn’t really know one another. I knew one or two neighbors on a surface level, but that was it. I also knew we had a wonderful mix of women—older, midlife, younger moms, and from diverse backgrounds and faiths.
So I did what I never imagined I would—I gathered their phone numbers, created a group chat, and invited everyone to my home last June! I called our little circle “Ladies of the Enclave.” While I speak publicly and in large groups, I am not naturally a social person. In fact, social situations stress me out. But I felt a clear calling to step out in obedience. If I opened my home, I trusted God to handle the results.
That June evening, I texted the group the details and opened our doors for just two hours. To my surprise, about 12 ladies showed up—and it was ABSOLUTELY worth it! We snacked, laughed, and simply enjoyed being together.
The gratitude was overwhelming. Every woman said how thankful they were that someone had pulled this together. Our group chat has been helpful too—whether it’s asking for recommendations, alerting about a lost dog, or sharing when someone’s hosting a big gathering. Since then, we’ve had a pumpkin-painting afternoon in October 🎃 and ornament-painting in December.
Not everyone could come every time, and that was okay. What mattered most was that the ladies felt connected—something so rare in today’s world.
Through this, I’ve gained multi-generational friendships that have blessed me beyond measure. I love hanging out with women a little further down the road of life. They share wisdom, marriage and parenting lessons, and they’re just plain FUN. We talk about Jesus and faith, and I get to see life from their perspective.
This spring, one neighbor invited me to a Bible study, and another welcomed me into her monthly book club 📚. At 51, I’m the youngest in the room—and I absolutely love listening and learning from them. Since then, we’ve had coffee dates, movie nights, and outings together.
All of this started because the Holy Spirit nudged me to step out of my comfort zone and open my door.
We are not meant to do this beautiful thing called life alone. Sometimes the smallest step of obedience opens the biggest door of blessing.
From the Porch…
As we wrap up our chat today, I pray you have courage to get out of your comfort zone and welcome someone into your home for coffee or tea, a snack or just chit-chat. But welcome someone into your home…. everyone wants to feel wanted to why don’t you start and make someone else feel wanted with a warm welcome 🏘️