Where 2 Or 3 Are Gathered In My Name

Last night, was my M.E.A.T. night.  M.E.A.T. stands for Men Eating And Talking.  This is a small group of men that I’ve been meeting with for almost a year.  We meet every week on Wednesday nights at a local diner.  Usually, we have five to seven men who show up for a cup of coffee, a dessert, and informal discussion about a hodgepodge of topics.  This group is a break from the small groups that I’ve been part of in the past in that there’s no curriculum and there’s not really a designated leader.  It’s challenging for me to be part of this group, but it’s also refreshing to feel acceptance and inclusion as a group member and not a group leader.

The last couple of weeks the group numbers have been small.  Summer has a way of doing this as people are away on vacation or attending to other summer activities and responsibilities.  When I got the e-mails last night that there would only be a few of us again this week, I was tempted to stay home.  But I was reminded of this verse from Matthew 18:20 –

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

It turns out that it was a great night to be at the group.  I’m so glad I was there to gather with these men – to enjoy good food and sweet fellowship.  It wasn’t just the guys – God was there with us also.

Are you part of a small group?  What does your summer schedule and attendance look like?