Almost four years ago, two wonderful women began to sketch out the beginnings of an idea centered around a space on campus where the women of 51ÂÜÀò were empowered to step into their image-bearing capabilities. That dream has turned into a beautiful picture of the Lord’s providence and intentional care in what you see here at GRIT today. What started in a small office at 51ÂÜÀò has turned into a campus-wide resource, serving the women of 51ÂÜÀò as we all walk forward with the confidence Christ so richly blessed us with.

Community in any context is important to the Christian life, but in that, I think there is something vital for us about the places where women from all walks of life can come together to rejoice, grieve, learn, fail, and grow together. It is in these spaces that I see the intentionality of our loving Father in creating women. Undoubtedly, conversations surrounding community are hard to have right now due to the nature of the difficult things going on in the world around us. However, we need each other now more than ever, even if it looks different than we hoped. I know that is something I have struggled to reconcile with. When I set out to come to 51ÂÜÀò as a freshman, I fell in love with the vibrant and bustling community we have here. That aspect has shifted in our time away from campus -- and yet I am reminded that there is great power in coming alongside the women in my life as we spur each other on to look like Jesus.

Ladies, I look at the student body at 51ÂÜÀò which is made up of more women than men and I think about what it would look like for each of us to step deeper into relationships with one another. What would it look like if we boldly called out the God-given gifts in the girls around us? How would our community be impacted if we as women came together in community like we never have before, investing in and pouring into the work that the Lord has for us at 51ÂÜÀò? What if God is providing an opportunity for community in this season which could be just as rich and vibrant, even if it is different than we hoped? Ladies, our God has created us for community, for relationships, and for His glory. The wonderful thing about those facts is that GRIT is here to help foster this kind of community--a place where mistakes are met with grace. A community where we are bold in our pursuit of the Father and eager to run alongside one another with confidence in Him, ourselves, and each other.

This is a unique season for all of us. The circumstances of this year have caused us to shift the way we interact with one another, but it has not made fellowship impossible. As you know, getting together is one of our favorite things to do at GRIT. We love seeing you, hearing your stories, and walking with you through all that life throws your way. While we miss you, we want to assure you that our community-minded mission has not (and will not) change. This semester, we have the opportunity to meet online in our new GRIT Huddle Group (check out how to join on our Instagram). This will be a place where we as women can come together to chat about life, process what is going on in the world around us, and continue to connect with one another until we can be physically present with one another again. My friends, this season is hard and painful but we are all in this together. We are fighting with you and we will get through this together.