Community Revisited
Well glory! I’ve been thinking about and studying on COMMUNITY. I’m not sure I like all of what I read, but since everything is from a Biblical perspective, I’d better start changing my wicked ways.
I come from a long line of men and women who have been determined and strong. I personally struggle with having a group mentality. I’m realizing I have a misguided sense of self. Tribal relationships with the expectations and relationships are hard on my introvert nature. Unless people all have my opinion and way of doing things, I’ve been better off being alone – except when it suits my notion. I no longer have that choice. From what I’ve read the last few weeks, I guess I’ve been wrong in my philosophy for many years.
I’m sure when my ancestors arrived in America and struggled to find their places in society, they moved within group settings. Many banded together to survive and thrive. Stories of my granddaddy riding in a covered wagon through the Texas break country to West Texas probably necessitated banding together with others for safety.
Modern society has splintered into small family or friend groups with many loners trying to make their way through a sometimes cold, hostile, and unforgiving world. Maybe we need community now more than ever.
As an example, I use my friend who lost a son to a rare disease several years ago and her husband to a fatal heart attack last year. Her comment on her posts expressed the difference in her ability to cope. From a troubled background, she had no community or support group when her son died. Since then, she had found faith to be an important factor in her life. She has bonded with her ‘tribe’ who have loved her. This resulted in the ability to face the last loss on a much different emotional level. Though she is still struggling, she knows we love her and pray for her. Community means caring for others in need.
It was fun to be part of a family community in December when our granddaughter got married. We all worked together in harmony with dancing and laughter at every turn while we prepped for the wedding and saw the day through until all was cleaned up. After the newly weds had left for the honeymoon, we sat around as we often do and shared the ‘roses’ of the day. It was a marvelous time of togetherness and bonding. Our ‘tribe’ celebrated together as a ‘community’. Community meant working together and celebrating.
In response to my guest blogger of yesterday, I know there are problems here. But do they really matter? Isn’t it more important to dwell on the friendships that are being developed? Yeah, there are a few crazy old ladies, like yours truly. But aren’t we the cutest things?
Everybody has a story, a distinct personality, a different philosophy, weird quirks, and habits. Learning to accept others into my ‘tribe’ is a growing process. Developing my own sense of identity at this age is a movement toward maturity like at any other stage of life. Daily I am trying my best (most days anyway) to accept others and see the best in them.
I will say it is hard for me to get close to others and have them move away or die. I am accepting my fate more and more.
As I read through an article about the Biblical perspective of community, I was shocked how little I have cared for that particular concept. I am listing the site you can check out for yourself. It is very thought provoking, and I am still chewing on the article’s byline –
Love is never stimulated apart from community. Art Lindsley.
Like I said, I’m studying what my role in my present circumstances requires of me and what God’s purpose is for me at this time.
I need to explain. The featured picture above from our Christmas celebration with Ronald leading us in prayer and shows one reason our ‘tribe’ works. We all have a sincere faith in God.
Blessings
Kara Beth
