COMMUNITY

At the most recent weekend retreat I attended, I was talking briefly with a gal about “community” in terms of a church community.  A community where Christian people are there to support each other especially through the tough times; times when we might be struggling and need a little extra support or prayers.  A place that is “safe” and secure….like the saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.”

 

I often hear of the importance of having those older, wiser mentors in our lives as well as us being able to pour into the lives of those younger people who need our experiences to help them learn more.  Yes, more community.

 

That community is something I sometimes feel is lacking in my life as I am not part of any small group where the community support is usually greatest.

At other times, I know I have thought that yes, I do have that community support with some friends who are older, more experienced and wiser than myself which blesses my life.  On the flip side, I hope I am able to lend some encouragement and prayerful support to maybe younger people who my life touches.

These cases are more one on one with people and I think in my perspective, that also constitutes community support.

 

Photo courtesy of Rachel Titiriga under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Often these days it seems that sometimes our schedules are so hurried that we don’t take that time to be community for others.  We just are too busy, too preoccupied with ourselves and our families to be there for one more person.  To be community, we have to be able to trust those people in order to be vulnerable. I think that can be a scary thing to do.

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Right after that conversation with the gal, I went outside and took another trip to view the lake.  Everything was quiet, calm and peaceful.

All of a sudden at the far end of the lake I heard some ducks making noise and much to my surprise this is what I saw……a whole parade of ducks….making me think of the importance of community in our lives.  I couldn’t believe that the line of ducks kept growing more and more! Yes, God’s perfect timing!  (sorry about the not so clear pictures but it was far away!)

 

A few ducks in the water

 

Many ducks reminding me of community

 

Much to my amazement as I drew near to the front of the main building, I look and on the wet pavement I am shocked to see a lone puzzle piece blending in very well with the pavement.  What was this puzzle piece doing in the middle of the walkway?  Yes, reminding me that we are all an important piece in that puzzle to be community for others!

I was so excited to go find that gal and show her the picture that reminded me of our conversation.  It also reminded me of another writing I had done previously entitled Impacting Others.  Feel free to click the link to check that out.

 

This missing puzzle piece in community—YOU

 

 

In retrospect, I find it interesting that the gal I was speaking with was “community” for me when I tried my hand at archery while on the retreat. She was kind enough to jump in and help direct my perfection of the technique as she had prior archery experience.

It is cool to think that she was also the one I asked to take some photographs of me as I was attempting to aim at the bullseye. Truth be told, maybe two arrows made it on the target at some point….certainly not too close to the bullseye!

What I did appreciate was the community spirit to help another and the cheering from those onlookers when I made the target at all!

 

 

 

 

 

Interestingly enough, while in the few days of writing these thoughts I experienced two community outreaches in one day! 

The first was a couple who emailed us because they noticed my husband and I weren’t at Bible Study the day before due to an unexpected commitment we needed to attend. That “simple” email brightened my day and made me feel part of a community, a community who cared enough to let us know we were missed and hoped to see us next week.

The second instance was when I went to pick up the DVD from the Bible Study so we could view at home the next day. The lady invited me to come in, sit and talk. She wanted the update on my family and life as we hadn’t had a chance to really converse at Bible Study. We also both attended the same church about 18 years ago! An hour flew by and I left feeling a sense of community.

 

 

May I encourage you this week to look for ways, even “little” ways, you can be community for others?

 

My life is always blessed when I get a text or message from someone saying they are thinking of me and wanted me to know.

My life is always blessed when I take a minute or two to tell someone I am praying for them or that they bless my life.

 

We can build that community, one person at a time!

Ready, set, go….be community!

 

 

Whenever two or three of you come together in my name, I am there with you.   –Matthew 18:20 (CEV)

Some people have given up the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s coming is getting closer.  –Hebrews 10:25  (CEV)

He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others.  If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honored, the whole body will be happy.  Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body.  –1 Corinthians 12:25-27  (CEV)