This story starts two years ago, when I joined a critique group through ACFW. Back then, you signed up and they matched you with people who write in your genre. My crit group (lucky number 13) was one of the last to be formed that way. But I’ll tell you something… no human hand formed our group. God alone did that. We were a group of women scattered all over the country from a variety of backgrounds and with varied interests. Without this critique group and ACFW, we probably never would have met. When we began, we had six active members. We are now four active members (though our quiet ones are still in our number and our hearts).
I’ve met one of my crit partners before. We had lunch together earlier this year when business brought her to my town. It was awesome to see her in person. See, this group has done more than read each other’s work. We’ve prayed each other through major life decisions. We’ve cried with each other when one of us grieves. We’ve supported each other, laughed with (and at) each other. I honestly think we share more with each other than we realize.
And last Friday, for the first time, our four active members were all together in the same room. It was amazing, and that word is not enough. I know for a fact two of us dropped bags and ran across a hotel lobby to get to each other. (I was one of them…) We spent the weekend at ACFW conference talking, laughing til we cried, and sometimes just plain crying. We ate Chick-fil-a (some for the first time, if you can believe that) and laughed some more and shared the good, the bad, and the ugly of agent and editor appointments. We got to celebrate together and pray together. And all of it was in person. I realized a couple of days ago what God had done. When we all laid eyes on one another as a group for the first time, it was like we’d always shared the same space. There was no awkwardness. No worries about being accepted.
And that’s when I realized we had something special. We accept each other. We know the good of each other and the bad of each other. (And now we’ve seen how obnoxious some of us–me–can be in person…) Yet we love each other. I looked around that circle of faces and realized I have God-given sisters. It amazes me the geographic and personality differences among us, but look what God did. He created something beautiful.
Jason says
That’s awesome.
Jodie says
God’s so cool! Have fun at Think Tank for me tomorrow. Allergies and pure ol’ worn out-ness are going to keep me home. 🙁
Donna says
I love you all. We have an amazing God who knew to put us all together in a unique way.
Jodie says
Love you too!
Suzanne says
I was able to meet two of my critique partners too, as well as many of Terry’s other clients. And, of course, it was great to meet you in person, although I wish we could have had more time to talk. It was a sweet, sweet time of fellowship with fellow writers and special people who are traveling this writing journey with me.
Jodie says
Next time we’ll have to make time to chat. I felt like all I did was greet people in the hall!
Teresa says
God is so great Jodie. It makes me happy just to hear about your blessings.
Also, I am so thankful for you!
Jodie says
And I’m thankful for you! Wish I was going to be there tomorrow!
Kimberly says
It was amazing! I love Jesus and all y’all! So much fun!
Carol J. Garvin says
My 4-year-old granddaughter phoned me the other day to have me listen to her lusty rendition of “God is so good” and that’s the tune that popped into my head as I read your post. Your group sounds awesome, and what a blessing to finally meet in person!
Unfortunately the ACFW conference is beyond my budget, but I’m looking forward to a closer-to-home conference later in October. There’s nothing like the wonderful fellowship and sharing opportunities at a conference.