Learning about "community"

I had always thought in the past few years since I've been a Christian that I knew what it meant to be in "Community" with your brothers & sisters. But What I didn't know is that God wanted to show me what I didn't know and show me that through using me to give it to others. I love how the lord works. I've been in small groups, and I love my covenant group that I am in. But sometimes once a week just isn't enough to experience what the Lord meant us to experience.

Before Leaving for Mississippi, I had anticipated a lot of fun & laughter and a lot of tears as well as we learned how to serve the lord's way. But what I didn't expect and what is becoming more vivid now as the days since I've returned is that I had no Idea what true community was. Lord, let these words be yours and not mine that you may get the glory for all of this, in Jesus name... amen.

I'm not sure if anyone had any idea how close we would all get in only a week's time, but as for me I know that bonds were formed and friendships made that I pray never get broken, but at the same time I'm preparing for the reality of life in that "All good things, must come to an end" at least in some degree. We were not created to stay on the mountain top for very long, we were made to walk through the valley of the shadow, fully knowing that the Lord is with us, and trusting him to provide the intimacy that we all seek as single people, praise god for the tiny bit of wisdom I got in the words that I spoke yesterday; "If we can't be intimate with God, how can we be intimate with anyone else?" This is something I'm sure I'll struggle with in the near future as the Lord rebuilds and repairs my hurts and damaged parts of my heart from within.

As we all worked and ate and relaxed together I didn't realize that the Holy Spirit was there so strong, and we were being knit together, and prayers were being answered for that very thing. As for myself, it was such a blessing to be in a group of people where I was appreciated and accepted in new ways, and more than I thought I was worthy of. I've been praying for years against my shyness and for the boldness of the Lord to shine through me, instead of the timid worldly, afraid "Me" that I've been most my life. And to him be the glory, because I've succeeded at doing just that to some degree. I'm so grateful and thankful for the people I had the privilege of meeting and getting a chance to share who I am with them as we all served a community that is and still needs the love of Christ through volunteers and prayers.

Who would have thought that 18 people sent to serve and be the hands & feet of Christ to a community would learn about the very thing they came to serve from the people they were serving. It's times like this, that I believe the Lord gives me and others the ability to glimpse his wisdom, and tiny bits of his plan for us as we become more like the maker and continue to be molded in the hands of the potter.

My thoughts for the day...