“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Ps 25:16).
We all feel lonely at times. Loneliness can sneak up on us whether we’re in a crowd or by ourselves. When we spend time alone by choice, we come away feeling refreshed and energized. But when being alone isn’t our choice, it can feel overwhelming and draining.
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2)
As believers in Christ, we carry a sense of responsibility for each other, known as community. Growing up, my family, my church friends, and my school friends formed my communities. I didn’t have to search for them; they were just there. When I started kindergarten, one of my cousins was in my class, along with several of the girls I knew from church. I can still remember spending the day with my cousins or friends from church, making cookies, riding bikes, watching movies, or playing with makeup. We were in and out of each other’s homes and lives, and I thought that was just how it was supposed to be. Continue reading “Growing in Community”
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…” (1 John 1:7)
People are social creatures, and even the most introverted among us craves human companionship from time to time. We need to connect with each other. We need support and encouragement and love. Continue reading “Forming Deeper Connections”
This post was originally published on June 25, 2017.
“…may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God…” (Ephesians 3:18-19)
When I was a sophomore in college, I changed my major from accounting to English for two reasons: 1). I hated accounting and at 19 just couldn’t imagine working with numbers for the rest of my life; and 2) I loved words and wanted to be a writer. After graduation, I pursued several jobs as a writer, but most of those jobs were far from home. So instead of becoming a full-time writer, I began working in government and nonprofit positions where I used my writing and presentation skills. I then pursued writing part time. Continue reading “Growing Through Fear and Rejection”
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor…” (Ecc 4:9)
Folks from the community arrived in pairs – married couples, friends, mother and daughter. People placed their wares on the counter: sandwiches, pizza, fruit, cakes, cookies. The array of food seemed endless. Groups naturally formed, with some talking about the day’s events and others already getting down to the serious business that had brought them together on this night: card games. Continue reading “Game Night”