Community…

Do you belong to a community? The dictionary defines this as: “a unified body of individuals, people with common interests, living in a particular area.”

Most of the time we think of a community as the place or neighborhood we live in or grew up in, as we should, it’s the first example of it’s definition. I was blessed to grow up in a small town where everyone knew you, you knew everyone and as a kid if you were somewhere you weren’t supposed to be, chances are your mom knew it before you even got home. As a kid this was kind of a hindrance, as an adult I see it was being loved…I had more then one mom growing up and in our generation chances are you did too!!!

Communities actually come in as much of an array of: people, places, groups, clubs, organizations and beliefs as we have colors of the spectrum. The reason today’s writing came to mind is I play an online game and within this game there is a coffee lounge (as Ive mentioned) I have a group that I meet each day (if we can) and we share virtual coffee but what we really share is a community. We have been playing together for a little while now and the comradery, respect, dedication to our team, the way we teach each other tricks and in competitions giving time saving hints, laughter and lately emotional support, because a new found friendship has evolved for 15 people who live from Oregon to Florida and states in between, to Ireland and France…

There are many communities available within your community, you’ll be surprised when you start looking. I was a Rainbow Girl in my youth and loved it, as I got older and my children were raised I joined another much loved community and that’s my Oregon City Pioneer Chapter of Eastern Star…my oldest granddaughter who is a pledge with Rainbows calls me just an older, slightly wrinkled Rainbow girl…lol, you will notice she says “slightly wrinkled.” 3 years ago, I walked into a chapter hall full of faces I didn’t know but we had one thing in common…we all wanted to be there! There’s a start of your relationship, you already have something in common.

There are: sewing clubs, reading clubs, coloring clubs, chess clubs, rodeo clubs, motorcycle clubs, hiking clubs; the list can go on as long as the list of interests can. It isn’t healthy to shut yourself off and in, I am a homebody these days and can go for days without leaving my house, thats ok as I have communities I belong to within and outside my 4 walls. We all need human interaction; we all need to care and be cared for, we all need to notice and be noticed.

Hebrews 10:24-25a NIV “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NCV “Two people are better then one, because they get more done by working together. If one falls down, the other can help him up. But it is bad for the person who is alone and falls, because no one is there to help.”

The church, the followers of Christ is one of the oldest, most tried and true communities known to man. Sadly, finding the right church can feel as hard a finding the proverbial needle in the haystack. My husband and I have moved a few times in his career and finding the right church was always the hardest. Don’t give up, keep looking until one Sunday you walk in and it feels like home, the people feel right and your minister is teaching from the bible.

Maybe you are already in a church but still feel alone, make it a little smaller, join the women or mens bible study group that meets in the middle of the week. Here’s a thought, start one of your own, chances are if you are in a large congregation you aren’t the only one feeling lost or invisible. Not ready for the whole church thing, accept that offer from a co-worker to join their little worship group they have on Wednesday nights…

Could be you are shy a bit introverted then what…do what I do, make one of your kids go with you, LOL…I understand that it can be intimidating walking into a room, a chapter hall or a church alone, where it feels like every eye is on you. Take a deep breath, smile and wait for the greeters to kick into action and they will. If you’ve been following me then you know I am in that room somewhere just waiting for you to walk in so I can come over and say hi, introduce myself and find you more people to talk to…and a great place to set, probably close to me. 🙂

Write down your hobbies or interests, go online do a search I bet you find there’s a group just right for you and they are just waiting for you to join them. I am so glad you join me…see you are part of my group already…if you’d ever like to talk or message…I’m here.

Have a most blessed Saturday, go outside…make it a fun one…the world is your oyster, you just have to crack it open. I appreciate you being a part of my community and as always … Thank you for joining me. 🥰