I am about to graduate MOPS this coming week with the final bow before the curtain closes at my last meeting on Tuesday. My heart kind of aches and tears roll down my face as I think about moving on. Truth be told, part of my ache is the fear that I will be forgotten or left behind. It sounds crazy I know, but I also know that life gets busy and it becomes harder to journey with people who are not always in sight. I feel like people on the outside of this wonderful institution don't understand what a big deal this is, at least for me. All they see is a mom's group used as an excuse to make it out of the house. Well, it is that, but it is so much more than that. MOPS is life and breath and food for the body and the soul. It is hope, and it is Jesus in every sense of the word. This group has become part of the very fiber of who I am and what I stand for. I cannot imagine what my life would be like without it. I have my cousin Nicole Fast to thank for this crazy ride.
Five and a half years ago, I was fresh off of the chemo and radiation boat with a new preemie to take care of. I had heard about MOPS, but had no idea you could join when you had little babies. So she invited me, and I anxiously said yes. I was so nervous because I desperately needed friends, but at the same time I was so intimidated by this huge room full of ladies who all knew each other. I sat down with Nicole and met an incredible lady, Jeanie, who would become my DGL the next month. I was instantly hooked, not because of anything extraordinarily awesome but because it made my cup runneth over. After a handful of meetings, I truly started to experience the blessings of being part of this MOPS group. I witnessed first hand what it means to really be the hands and feet of Jesus. As I was facing the biggest fight of my life, these super-mamas, who barely knew me were signing up to bring food, gifts, and prayers to my family that we might have the sustenance to make it thru another day of life with cancer and a bone marrow transplant. MOPS was also the place where I found some of the best in-the-trenches friends who see the ugly, messy vulnerable side and still want to journey with me to laugh about it on the other side. Through MOPS, I have found a well-spring of grace that allows me to find rest without guilt, and pulls me into the arms of the Almighty when I KNOW that my parenting skills are less than awesome. I have also found the joy of doing life together that culminates with 8-10 ladies around a sticky craft table all devouring a hot egg casserole and trying to match paint colors. Most importantly, MOPS has shown me how to be a better leader by serving and that sometimes the leadership road isn't always the most popular one but one I am called to still. Overall, I have learned how to better walk my walk with Christ. Now, it is my prayer that as I leave through those doors as a MOPS graduate that I truly am a better wife, mother, friend, leader, and daughter of the King.
So after three years of doing Hospitality/DGL and two years of co-coordinating, I have to say a "See ya later". To all of you who are in my group today, for all of you who have been at my tables, and to those who have served and labored with love at my side, I say thank you. Thanks for all of the love, hugs, memories, and prayers. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:13 Never forget that Columbine MOPS is forever written on my heart, and to Nicole, I owe you big time for opening the door to this life-giving endeavor.
So long and farewell to being a MOPS mama and hello to being a Ministry Coach.
