It was a community of faithful women that God used to come alongside Julie’s mom, Nada, at the age of seven to bring her into his fold. It was saving hope and love given to Nada from Jesus and that faithful community that sustained her all her life. Nada experienced great hardship... blinded at the age of 15 in an accident, physical and emotional abuse from husbands... but Nada emulated God’s grace and mercy. Julie got a front row seat to it. Even with difficult days and seasons, Nada would share Jesus’ love to others around her, and to her precious daughter Julie.
Because of a faithful God and a faithful mom, Julie has known God all her life and has loved God all her life. She started going to Citylight over 10 years ago and there re-committed herself to do God’s will. She is forever thankful for her church community and for God’s promises and word.
“When I decided to go back to church,” Julie said, “God put it on my heart to be completely involved. I am his servant. I am here to share the gospel and his love. God’s love surpasses all knowledge and circumstance. God uses his church to build up one another and I am the recipient of this!”
Many Thanksgivings and Christmases involved Julie’s mom, Nada, opening her house up to others, many who were strangers, for community and nourishment. Julie never forgot this, especially after Nada's passing a few years ago. This year, with Julie’s children grown up and with families of their own and out of town, she thought of Nada even more.
“When mom passed away two years ago the day after Christmas,” Julie described, “I didn’t know what I would do during holidays without her. Those last few years, I would be with her so she wouldn’t be alone. I remembered when I was younger there was never a holiday by myself because mom always had people over. When you are young, you don’t quite understand the reason behind it, but as I got older, I understood.”
“I have a sister who is mentally handicapped and living in a group home,” Julie continued to share, “so I would stay home and bring her to my home. This past week, God laid it on my heart to open my home. I love to cook and share. There’s nothing like a mom to me and nothing like my mom, Nada. I thought to myself “Why not open my house up as she did?” When you give, you get so much more. You get more than ever you give. My mom did.”
After considering all these things, Julie logged into her social media and in a private group typed a simple invitation. She put in the message that anyone who didn't have a place to go this Thanksgiving, she would love to break bread with other church family members. Not knowing what she would receive, comments started to come in, one after another.
“I thought if it’s just my sister and I, so be it,” Julie exclaimed with joy. “But after posting that, a few have reached out and are coming over. A single mom is coming over. Another woman who lost her mom this year is coming over. Holidays are hard for people. God does not want us to be alone. He wants us to love one another. I am his servant. I want to try and be obedient.”
Julie is excited to host people around her table for a meal and community... just like Nada did for all those years. This holiday season, may we be a church who remembers what God has done for us and what he has given us through his son Jesus and also, a church who shares that with those around us. God will use it for his kingdom plan. Julie and Nada would agree.