Gifts; Community

Community. 

Dictionary.com defines community as;

a social group of any size whose members reside in a specific locality, share 

government, and often have a common cultural and historical heritage.

It's people who live in the same area, with a common government and share a common culture or history. But at it's core community means people. It's people living together in the midst of the mess and chaos and beautiful of our days.

Human beings are interesting creatures. We come in all shapes and sizes with varying quirks, gifts, and flaws. We don't all struggle with the same thing but we do all struggle. We aren't all good at the same thing but we are all good at something. 

Specifically, I am very blessed to live in church community. More than anything else, church community is Christ's family. We argue. But we also pray. We are not always kind or encouraging. So we ask for forgiveness and seek to change. We are all sinners. But we all have a great Saviour. 

We live life together.  I love that as I enter the homes of my Christ-family I find women standing on floors dotted with cheerios, folding laundry at the table that also houses toy trucks and dolls. I love that in other homes I am met at the door by empty-nesters who hang my coat up and offer me tea. I love that one home contains a newly married couple with "fix it" projects on the go and another a single friend with soft, classical music. 

I love that people feel comfortable enough to ask if they can come over for lunch and that when they come, I don't feel bad about the dishes on my counter. 

This is life. 

Cheerios, projects, classical music, hung up coats, dirty dishes. 

Laughter, tears, games, stories, songs, frustrations, encouragements, serious talks. 

And prayer. 

The people who do community best are those who are real, who let you see what their life is like and invite you to partake. And those who pray. In solitude we kneel in our prayer closets, praying for ourselves and this community. Together we join in praise to God and ask for encouragement, for forgiveness, for the needs and concerns of others, and for revival. 

We cannot survive in isolation. I need this community that encourages me and loves me and rebukes my sin. I need this community that points me to Jesus. And I am so, SO thankful for each member of it. 

Every. Last. One.