Community

Throughout the seasons of my life, community has been a high priority to me. With the arrival of two babies within a 14-month timespan, our church’s chapter of MOPS was a lifeline to me. Then, from toddlers clinging to my legs through the adventures of early elementary, I served on the leadership team of Intimacy With Jesus. That group of 6 ladies were precious gifts to my heart as we sought the Lord together and ministered to the women of our church every other week. As my children grew through high school, I found community in our church’s homeschool enrichment classes where seasoned friends encouraged me to follow the Lord’s lead and trust His provision where I lacked teaching skill. I never planned to home-educate through graduation, or on teaching Calculus or Chemistry, but the Lord always provided!

Two things stand out to me about those seasons: they were centered around my church and my kids.

As of this weekend, my daughter will have been married for six weeks, making my husband and me official empty-nesters! Both our kids bounced back and forth between our home, on-site internships, new apartments, and back to our home during their late teens and early twenties. So this is the first time that we don’t feel the need to have their rooms ready for the next home base landing. That said, I am very aware of my new season of community.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

I’ve seen this verse proven time and time again. Community, friends, peeps – whatever term you use, they are the ones who help us up when we doubt, struggle or fall. It is not lost on me that the Lord has built my community among fellow believers. People who know the Lord and are growing in their relationships with Him. People who encourage me to do the same. People who invite my voice into their lives just as I invite theirs into mine. These friendships are heaven-sent and I am grateful that many of us still have connection despite the life changes that happen through the years.

During this season, I want to be more intentional with reaching out to my friends and strangers alike. I want to build on the foundations that have been set in place. I’m asking God to enlarge my heart with more love to pour into those He brings across my path. I’m asking Him to help me see the windows of time that can be opened to coffee, prayer, and conversation. I’m asking Him to help me be more attentive to invitations extended to me – because we all like to be invited! I’m asking Him to help me trust His orchestration of time that allows such divine appointments to unfold without neglecting what He has already entrusted to my care.

Sure, it takes vulnerability to let others see us as we truly are and trust them to help us. But the reward is so sweet! And, certainly, it is an investment of time to spend with others when they need us. But what a privilege to celebrate God’s victory with them when the battle is won! Friends, you have been placed for this communion. You have been positioned for this trust. God has entrusted you with gifts that He intends for you to share with those He brings around you. They need you. And you need them. We have been created for one another and this gift is well worth the investment! As we walk through life encouraging one another toward the beauty that rests on the other side of difficulty our faith is strengthened and our souls are soothed. We begin to see and appreciate the gift of friendship; the value of being there for one another. Each one a precious reminder from our loving Father that…

You are adored.