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June 14, 2007
Community
I was searching the internet for some profound quote on community to sum up what I'm feeling lately, but didn't have much luck. Maybe if someone else has one they can send it this way. I guess the natural easy community for most people is family, but when you're 1000 miles away that doesn't quite fill the need. A month ago at our church retreat (aptly called Community Fellowships), the guest challenged us with this thought, "that no one person is created in God's image." It took a while to wrap our minds around what he was saying, but in the end we mainly agreed with that statement and God's intent for us all to be part of a community. It is saying that on our own by ourselves, we are not fully how God created us to be, that our completeness comes by being joined with others in larger body. It means taking off the masks and being real with those around you, sharing hurts, needs, resources, and gifts. This is a switch from the mindset that we are all out for ourselves and looking out for #1. It is not always easy to open up your stuff for others and to be real, with faults, fears, and all, but the strength in community comes when we can be who we are and love each other anyway and fill in the gaps for each other. I don't mean for this to sound "hippie-ish" because it is more than just surface peace and love. It is sharing your lives with others and knowing you have people you can count on and struggle with and be committed to. I believe that our church is on the right track towards this, althogh we can always be doing better. But I feel it strongly at times like yesterday morning when I asked Owen, "who loves you?", and he said, "Mommy, Daddy, Caroline, Rachel, Hilary, John, and Baby Sam." None of these other folks are our relatives, but he knows their love in a way that is just as real.
Even people who aren't in deeply committed communities get glimpses of how good community can be, through picnics, parties, bars, etc. For me, being with others in social settings is almost always a good reality check and gets me out of being stuck in my own mind with who knows what kind of thoughts. In Anne Lamott's book, she wrote that her friend said it like this,"My mind is like a bad neighborhood I shouldn't go into alone." I have been there for sure, and reiterate that it is not good for man (or woman) to be alone.
I may have more to say about all this later, but I also wanted to include this from Lamott's book, which is one of the most touching parts of the book for me and I think speaks to the kind of community we were made for, "But it made me feel sure of Christ again, of that kind of love. This, a man scrubbing a new mother's bathtub, is what Jesus means to me."
| By amy | 01:34 PM
Comments
Great thoughts on community. I feel I'm just beginning to develop that here in Rochester--I felt it so much in Baltimore. I'm also so glad you're reading "Operating Instructions," that was the first book I read of hers and even as someone without children I could relate to so much of it. Maybe when I see you in July I can pass on "Traveling Mercies" if you haven't read it yet. Can't wait to see you!
love,
Amy Cate
Posted by: Amy Cate at June 14, 2007 06:20 PM
Thank you for sharing your wonderful, intuitive thoughts....and just when I needed them the most.
At a point where I hate to admit that I'm very
fragile emotionally right now due to work issues, my beautiful child once gives me hope and strength to endure thru her gifted "pen."
Posted by: Hazel at June 15, 2007 08:32 AM
I'm thankful to be a part of your community! And yes, baby Sam loves Owen very much (he told me so).
KK
Posted by: Katie at June 15, 2007 10:20 PM
