Community Needed

This summer has been rich and full, everything that I desired and more. It has been enlightening, making me think about what my family needs, what I need, and honestly what we all need.

Many of us live a life of electronic access, but are lonely, isolated, and needing connection. I truly believe this is a season of community. For too long, we have believed that we are out here alone, no help, no support, and unseen. God is really revealing like minded and like hearted people to us, and it is refreshing.

My husband and I talk all the time about how people can be like minded but not like hearted or vice versa. To connect, for progress, both are needed. We do not have to think exactly the same, we are always open to being challenged, but there are some core values that must exist to experience true community.

We were having our Covenant small group meeting last week and Dr. Tasha said something. She was referencing women, but it's true for all of us. We actually desire connection and community. Some of us have not learned how to navigate healthy relationships within that space. There will be offense, hurt, frustration, and people will change, but there are some relationships that are worth the transition.

I have become intentional when I walk into spaces. Are we like minded? Do they have a heart to serve like my family and I? If not Christian, do they live by the same values? Are they progressive or stuck in their ways? It's not judgement, it's assessment because I desire to surround myself with people that are headed in a similar direction. We don't need to be in the same place, but we need to be moving, no matter how fast or slow.

We have learned over the years that some relationships are seasonal, but our desire is community that lasts. We have larger impact when there is connection. It's easier to navigate hard spaces and seasons when we have community. We learn from one another and grow more quickly when we are not trying to do life alone.

We connected with a family we love several weekends ago. We went to church together, ate lunch, and realized, as we caught up, we were experiencing similar things around the same time. The time passing wasn't intentional. Life was lifing, and at least for us we did not prioritize getting together as much as we should have. Other things had our attention, and we were reminded in that moment how important it was to be intentional about those relationships. Life gets busy, and it can be hard, but when you value people or a family, you make sure it happens. The love was the same, no one was angry, no one blamed anyone, we just agreed moving forward we would do better. Even between two families, that is community.

I know God has placed this desire in our hearts because in this next season it's needed. We are following Him, searching for it in where we attend church, who we serve with, and who we build with. If you are a believer, I know you feel something shifting, and we are preparing for it.

We have created safe spaces, and now we are sharing them. He asked for obedience to lay foundations, and now we are building on them. All of this starts and continues with community. We are learning what true vulnerability looks like because sharing personal stories is no longer enough. Our hearts have to be healed and open enough to give and receive.

It's different, but it's safe because it was all ordained by Him. Find your community. If you ask, He will lead you to where they are.