Last night was the last night of our Ladies’ Book Study. We finished up reading Piper’s God Is the Gospel. As usual, we had an edifying and lively discussion. For the last eleven weeks, we have taken issue with the ins and outs of the gospel: what it is and what it is not, how to share it and how to use it wrongly, how to live it and how not to live it. I think we came to the same conclusion more than once, that is, God’s grace is amazing! I will miss being a part of the fellowship that occurs when women of God get together to talk about Him.

Some ladies shared their own encounters with God in and through suffering. We sat in silence as we pondered the idea that death is actually one of God’s gifts to us, as only through death will we be able to see His glory and live in His presence without sin marring our perception. We marveled at His grace, challenged to find the right words to convey to one another how great His grace is to each one of us individually.

Each week, our hostess offered something sweet to eat following our discussion. Last night, for the grand finale, we shared a chocolate fountain! Every lady brought something to share…strawberries, nutter butters, peanut butter wafers, pretzel sticks, oreos, and I brought rice krispy treats. It was a chocolate feast! Does God’s river of delights run with chocolate? Probably not. I’m sure His fountain is much sweeter and less fattening. I hope to one day be able to say and feel as honestly as Paul, “To die is gain…My desire is to depart and be with Christ.”