A God Kind of Girl Trip

Recently, I planned a trip with a few friends to celebrate my birthday. We packed up—well, I actually over-packed—and set off to a beach rental home. This trip was a big deal to me because my vacations were typically stay-cations involving church conferences, catching up on chores, and a little relaxation.

The location was beautiful. The home was immaculate. It was so different—the quiet beach, the natural setting, even the sky looked different. I enjoyed my entire time there. But my greatest takeaway happened after I returned from this girls’ trip. I woke up the next day, knelt to pray, and God started to speak and download such clear revelations.

I was reminded of another kind of girl trip, described in the first chapter of Luke. When the angel Gabriel told Mary she was going to give birth to the Savior of the world, she was a young girl, likely a teenager. As her pregnancy became known, imagine the rumors, gossip, and side-long glances she endured. So God sent her to someone who could relate—an older barren woman, way past childbearing years who was now pregnant with her own miracle child! This was Elizabeth, wife of Zechariah, and Mary’s “relative,” according to Luke:

A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said” (Luke 1:39-45 NLT).

What a moment of affirmation and love for Mary. Over the next three months they connected in ways no one else could understand—a God-orchestrated girl trip! I imagine Mary returning home with renewed confidence, joy, and strength about her miracle situation.

When I went away with my lovely friends, we planned no agenda other than to enjoy one another’s company. God’s agenda had more. We ate, laughed, talked and dreamed together. We affirmed and celebrated one another with joy and love. It birthed new endeavors, more focus, and greater revelation. All of that was on God’s agenda.

We all need to surround ourselves with those who can leap with joy for our destiny and purpose. We need to connect, relax and have fun with others who are meant to bring affirmation in our lives.

Who is in your circle? Have you been intentional about connecting with and really enjoying them? Connecting with others in this season is so critical to us staying encouraged and hearing from God!

Let’s pray… Lord, increase my circle and help me to connect with and love others the way You did. Inspire more joy, peace, and clarity in my life through godly relationships. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

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Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.