Momtime is a group of moms who meet weekly in a home to encourage one another, learn from each other's challenges, and most of all, be refreshed through laughter. The four key elements of a MomTime meeting are Friends, Food, Faith and Fun. These four f's are the ingredients for a happy mommy.

Friendships with other women can strengthen us to be better wives and mothers. As any mom can attest, we tend to get so focused on others that we neglect ourselves. And that's not good for anyone. We need to be with other adults - especially other mothers - for that occasional grown-up conversation. Moms need a time to call their own, and not feel guilty about it. This key element of friendship is accomplished by having a regular time each week that is set aside to nurture the woman in mommy - and a handful of moms looking for a good time.

Food is from God! There's just something about a get-together with food that nourishes a mother's heart as well as her body. God made us body, soul, and spirit. While friends, faith, and fun minister to soul and spirit, we can't forget the importance of food to bless the body. Whether it's a fabulous salad accompanied by a homemade muffin and followed up with something chocolate, or simply a pot of tea and a plate of scones, food is the second key element of MomTime.

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing, by the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)A short time of reviewing what God has to say about issues closest to a mother's heart can do wonders to fill up an exhausted mom. When it comes to refueling the weary mother, it's hard to find anything more faith building than a good round-table discussion among fellow moms. It's amazing what God can do in the area of faith when a woman's natural "gift of gab" is set on a godly course.

Fun is the final, and in my opinion, most important element. Proverbs 17:22 in the God's Word translation says, "a joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength." Moms struggle with depression occasionally, and we feel drained much of the time. The Bible seems to suggest that laughter is a good antidote for the blues. That's why I take fun so seriously. Therefore, a good game of some kind is a critical component for a successful MomTime gathering.

I've hosted a moms' group in my home for almost ten years. We've named ourselves "The Good Medicine Club" because although most Fridays we are drained from the week, after we spend two hours together eating, talking, playing, and laughing, we return home feeling better. Now, that's what I call the perfect house call!