Group chats are typically synonymous with annoyance. Nobody wants to get stuck in a group chat. You start to hear all the little bells on your phone go off, and you begin to sweat and strategize, “How will I get out of this?!”

The internal dialogue goes something like this . . . Why, God, why??? Dear Lord, will they ever take my number off? I don’t know half these people! How big of a jerk will I look like if I leave the group?

But what if a group chat was your much-needed link to fellow mamas and sister-friends that you might not have otherwise reached out to as much?

I’m going to be honest here, I try really hard to reach out if someone comes to my mind, but I don’t always make the effort to do so.

RELATED: Check on Your “Strong” Friend, She’s Faking it

Some days, it just seems too hard to reach out. The busyness of life overwhelms me. I start getting lost in my feelings and my schedule and my kid’s schedules and that is exactly how friendships fade to the back burner. Because those friends are going through the exact same life struggles pulling them under, and we don’t always make contact even if we know we should.

I am in a group chat that is quite literally my saving grace many days.

Someone’s kid is sick, she drops in for prayers, and we remember (most of the time) to follow up with how they are feeling. Someone has a rough meeting coming up that she’s nervous about? We all cheer her on and tell her she’ll be great. One of us had a tough day at home, we come together and remind her of her worth and that things will get better.

When one of us is silent, the others notice and go check on her. It’s so easy to get bogged down in life with all the stress surrounding us, and if you are anxiety-prone, often you turn away from people instead of toward them for support.

This group always reminds me of the value of sharing my burdens because it does make them feel lighter. I know they are praying for me. I know they’ll hear me out. I know they’ll love me. I know they’ll offer me godly advice.

And that means the world to me.

And when I go radio silent, sometimes just sitting back and watching my friends interact with each other draws me back in because I see how much better it is to not do life alone.

I know I can come as I ambad day, amazing day, or lonely dayand share wherever I am at, and it will be OK with them.

RELATED: We All Need Friends Who Just Get It

I know I can frantically ask for prayers as we are rushing to the hospital, and they will stop and pray. I know when I get great news of something amazing God did in my life, they are the first ones I want to tell because they know exactly what I’m talking about and were waiting with me.

They are my people. My cheerleaders. My prayer warriors. My best friends and I am theirs. So, even though I’m only hanging on in life by a group chat, I am totally OK with that.  

So God Made a Mother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A MOTHER available now!

Order Now

Check out our new Keepsake Companion Journal that pairs with our So God Made a Mother book!

Order Now
So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Tabitha Yates

The Redeemed Mama is a published writer, certified life coach, and busy homeschooling mama. She resides in southern Arizona with her three children and loves writing about parenting, life, and growth! Come join her social media community for a healthy dose of hope, healing, and humor!

Good, Long Distance Friendship is Hard But So Worth it

In: Friendship
Woman getting into car

I cry every time she arrives, and I cry every time she leaves. Because each time I see her, I feel a little more like myself, and each time she leaves, I feel like a big piece of my heart drives away in her car. Because one of my very dearest friends lives far away. And it’s just hard. We can’t just hop in the car and meet for coffee. We don’t make weekly shopping runs to Target when we both need to get out of the house, and I can’t run her over a plate of cookies when she...

Keep Reading

Friend, I’ve Got Your Back

In: Friendship

You need a coffee, I’m bringing you the big one. You need prayer, just text the word.  You need a minute. You need a date night. You need someone to hold the baby while you rest, I’m there.  You need an “I get it” or a “Me, too.” You need someone to laugh with or cry with, I got you. You need someone to sit in silence with or remind you it gets better. You need someone to tell you it’s OK to talk about it. It’s OK to complain about it.  It’s OK. Sister, I’ve got your back. Because motherhood is...

Keep Reading

Here’s To the Mom Friends Who Show Up

In: Friendship, Motherhood
Three friends smiling

I often hear having young kids described as “being in the trenches,” and soldiers often express a camaraderie they feel with other soldiers they are going to battle with. I am blessed to have an incredible group of mom friends I call my “war buddies” because we are raising our kids together. They offer encouragement and serve as the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel as assurance that I won’t always be the haggard mom of littles with bags under her eyes and dried slime in her greasy mom bun. When we first moved here, I didn’t know...

Keep Reading