Connectedness

At Relay Exchange, we are always discussing the importance of connections. While Jesus is the focus of all we do, we are rooted in our desire to foster healthy connectedness: between mothers and their daughters, between mothers as they raise their girls, and between the girls. We start the emphasis on connectedness when a group forms by requiring that every group is led by a team of two moms. We adopted this model for several reasons. First, we were copying Jesus.

“And He summoned the twelve and began to send them out in pairs.”

Mark 6:7 NASB2020

Second, we were following the advice of Solomon when we started Relay Exchange in 2007.

“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, But if there’s no one to help, tough!”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 MSG

Over and over throughout the years, we have personally experienced the benefit and blessing of not trying to go it alone -- practically, spiritually, emotionally and more.

“By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-stranded rope isn’t easily snapped.”

Ecclesiastes 4:12 MSG

When we connect to one another, we are operating the way we are designed to best function. When we weave Jesus into our friendships and connections, we begin to build something that lasts.

“Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.”

Ephesians 2:20-21 NLT

These important connections we make should be intentional, they should be beneficial, and they should be habitual. Connections should be intentional because without deliberate efforts to create and maintain relationships, your circle will dwindle. This is why our model is to lay the framework for mothers to make do-able but deliberate investments of time over a long period of time. By creating a manageable system and by encouraging members to make their groups a priority, we equip moms with the tools they need to keep key relationships front and center.

Second, connections should be beneficial in some way. Your circle should be pointing you to Jesus. And, while we are there for one another in both good and bad, our relationships should also be joyful! They should include fun and should remind of us the goodness of God.

Finally, our connections must be habitual. Not only must we be intentional in seeking to create beneficial connections, we should make these connections a habit. Connecting with our circle should be a routine in the sense that it is a core part of who we are and how we spend our time. As in many areas of life, good intentions are not enough; we need good habits.

This past year has created so many challenges in connecting with others. We have had to be more creative, more flexible and even more intentional about keeping our connections alive and flourishing. If you have found this difficult, we encourage you to persevere in your efforts. 

“[A]nd let’s consider how to encourage one another in love and good deeds, not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 NASB2020

Thank you for connecting with us through this blog and in other ways. We appreciate you!