One of the most beloved communities of our time is Mayberry, the fictional town of Sheriff Andy Taylor, Aunt Bea, Opie and Deputy Barney Fife. Some of the worst problems gripping the citizenry were how to dodge Aunt Bea’s terrible tasting pickles without hurting her feelings and what to do when someone sang off key in the church choir. (I mourn the passing of Andy Griffith and Mayberry!) I live in a community somewhat like Mayberry. We are a part of the small town of St. John, Kansas. People here know most of the people in town and there is a lot of caring and sharing, but we our have problems, too.
I've lived in several geographical communities over time, and have been a part of short or long-lived groups that feel like a community. Some have come very close to being a "Mayberry".
A community can be made up of people who have something in common—such as the similar experiences veterans or cancer survivors would have. A community can be made of those who share a common cause or purpose, like a professional group. I’ve been a part of several “communities” this spring, meeting with teachers attending the same classes/workshops. We have common concerns and experiences, so bond with one another easily. One of my favorite “communities” at present is my water aerobics group—we share our summer experiences, get exercise, laugh a lot, and exchange recipes and prayer requests. (Picture shown is not my group, but we may consider the bathing caps!)
“God sent His son…so we could become His children.-Galatians 4:4-5
Soon my family will be heading to Horn Creek family camp in Colorado where we have spent a week for the last 30 years with other families. We’ve watched our children grow up together and have prayed each other through some traumatic times—just as with my home church family. We need each other to help “hold us up” and to urge us on—that’s the beauty of a “community”.
We all need a place where we belong, as well. Loneliness is a real problem for so many people in our world today. People don’t feel connected to each other, even with Facebook. The author, Jan Karon, identified this problem when writing her Mitford books. She said she wanted the town of Mitford to be a hometown for everyone who didn’t have one. If you haven’t read these books, you’re missing a treat. The mayor of Mitford’s campaign pledge is “We take care of our own”. Doesn’t Jesus ask that of us as well? Actually, He wants us to take care of His own!
If you are lonely, pray and look for a “community” to belong to, or start your own! I have a group of friends who pray for our schools, children, church family and community every week. We’ve been doing this for 15 years! Our Lovely Branches group is another praying and caring “community”. I’ve found “community” with knitters, walkers, co-workers, clubs, and especially my church and faith filled friends.
God never meant for us to go it alone. We aren’t meant to be “Lone Rangers”. We need Him and each other.
I’ve been reading a devotional book by Max Lucado called Blessings for Everyday, based on excerpts from his writings. This one caught my eye:
“Unfriendly people are selfish”.-Proverbs 18:1
Lucado goes on to say, “We’re in a fast-moving, fast paced society. We need to build bridges between our hearts and those of people we see who need a friend-and allow Jesus to cross that bridge of friendship and walk into their lives…whether or not you are friendly could determine whether or not someone hears about Jesus.”
Be friendly. Be interested in the lives of those around you. Start a “community” of people who need a friend.
Even though I believe in face-to-face, and not so much cyber space, I want to share a couple of on-line “communities” that have been a source of inspiration and blessing for me. Aholyexperience.com is a wonderful source of faith filled reflections by Ann VosKamp, the author of One Thousand Gifts. She invites everyone to join her in the thousand gift community, thanking God for the great and small gifts He sends us everyday.
In these last dog days of summer, when it’s too hot to be outside, clean out some closets or drawers. A great site for ideas and inspiration is Organizingmadefun.com.
School will be starting soon, so get those spots cleared out so you can see what the kids can still wear! My almost 23 year old son just brought all his clothes and boxes of stuff home from college so we’re cleaning and sorting to repack and send him off on his next adventure.
I pray for you to have several “communities” where you feel you belong, where you can share your heart, and where you can be loved –but the only “community” that can really deliver all of that all the time is Heaven!! Until then, thank God for the people He put around us here to share “community”. Don’t miss the chance to be friendly and build some bridges to share Jesus and His love and compassion.
I leave you with this further challenge from Max Lucado and a final salute to Mayberry.
“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it-because it does.- I Corinthians 14:1
(The Message translation) Max continues:
“Loosen up. Don’t you have some people to hug, rocks to skip, or lips to kiss?”
Let’s get after it. Grab a friend, or your Bible, some lemonade, and enjoy some time on the porch. Whistle the theme to the Andy Griffith show and think about all the communities you are a part of and how you can “go after a life of love”. Build some bridges!!
