THE SQUARE NAIL: OASIS GOES TO HARRISON

Someone asked me who my Oasis group was. It's just some women who love Jesus and each other.

When Oasis gets together, each meeting becomes something different. Last time we met, there was porch-sitting on a sunny, 75 degree morning. This time five piled into the van to go to Harrison because Jan and Bobbie are our June girls in need of a birthday party.

All along the way, one member we call "Junior" was in the third seat, calling out cow/red barn alerts. The hooting and laughing was deafening at times, but don't we profit from women of differing ages? The one with the most life experience in our group was born in 1929 and the chickiebaby was born in 1952.

At first we had Oasis rules that we were only to serve coffee. You can imagine how fast that rule evaporated as legitimate intentions to shower one another with good things swerved into more. Isn't this the loveliest tablescape?

We all were full of anticipation because our "long-distance" member always has a treat for us. We are like little kids when we go to Jan's house. This time we got to take home the vases on the table. Jan would say they were nothing, but just some things she cut out of her yard. But there's something about when someone makes a fuss over you...

When we pray at Oasis, we ask that our conversation honor the Lord because we all are aware of our capacity to stray into the weeds with our mouths. I wish "catty" didn't come so easily for women! This time our conversations were as serious as the abuse of women...to a lighter fare, the newest decorating trends.

There is a storm going on now in a denominational convention because of their leader's remarks about women. Our Oasis "reading file" assignment was an article from a pastor in the same denomination who took a different stand. I found his comments to be refreshing. LINK

And one more thing. All these women are involved in ministry, so there's always much to catch up on. One is in prison ministry, two are in "one-to-one" ministries, two are leading Bible studies, and Bobbie is the quintessential lady with noble character who opens her mouth in wisdom. There is much to learn at Oasis.

My favorite Friday thing? My best favorite was just the shiny time together which refreshed my soul. But an also favorite was the fun talking about decorating as we saw Jan's upgrades...and then she took us to go through another house she is working on that was almost complete. And third favorite?

Jan's husband. We arrived Friday at 10:00 and were still gabbing at 3:00 when Ron walked in. It was the end of his work week and Oasis came to attention, knowing it was time to exit stage left. But instead of smiling, waving, and going off to the garage...Jan's husband plopped down in our circle and fearlessly joined in. What a great guy!

We were made to live in community. We just follow God's example because He lives in the community of the Trinity.

Women need other women. We need to release some words so our husbands won't have to hear everything that is on our minds. And we desperately need the prayers that shore one another up. Galatians says "carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ".

So what's so good about Oasis? We smile at the future together!