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Cultivating Connections

June 7, 2011 By Jean Wise

Kyla turned two on Sunday. We had a beautiful day –perfect weather – friends, family, and a gaggle of toddlers enjoying the sun, backyard wagon rides, and learning to take turns sliding on the new swing set.
How blessed we are to have two sets of great grandparents, three grandparents, a great aunt, aunts and uncles, cousins plus friends celebrating life together. 
I paused and deeply took it all in. What a gift to have multiple generations connecting.


God gave us community. He plants the seeds to create loving, supportive bonds through family and friends. We live healthier lives when we nourish those seeds and help them blossom.
I haven’t always appreciated this gift. I complain about the time it takes. I whine when I don’t see immediate results. I focus on the labor and not the often, invisible benefits. I let my pride and self sufficiency lead a lonely walk instead of enjoying the journey with companions willing to walk with me.
Even in the age of social networking and instant messaging, we live in a fractured world. I don’t think we appreciate the power we can tap and the support we can experience when we link with others and build friendships. 
This year has been draining for me.  At times I wondered where God was and if I was proceeding down the right path. In hindsight (and isn’t that where our vision is clearer with reflection?) I see His presence in connecting with others. Community made all the difference.
Prayers from friends.
Others who took the time to listen.
Internet friends I never met in person, but knew we connected spiritually.
All community.
All pointing to the value in cultivating connections.
I love what Henri Nouwen wrote about community:
“The whole meaning of the Christian community lies in offering a space in which we wait for what we have already seen. Christian community is the place where we keep the flame alive among us and take it seriously, so that it can grow and become stronger in us. In this way we can live with courage, trusting that there is a spiritual power in us that allows us to live in this world without being seduced constantly by despair, lostness, and darkness…Waiting together, nurturing what has already begun, expecting its fulfillment – that is the meaning of marriage, friendship, community and the Christian life.”

I am grateful for community.
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Comments

  1. blankPamela says

    June 16, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    I loved this post. Community is so important to me. I’m a loner by birth but realized in early adulthood that every soul needs others of like passions.

    I’m eager to read Soulistry. Sounds like my kind of book.

    I hope your day is blessed of God, Jean.

    Thanking God for community,
    Pamela

  2. blankJean Wise says

    June 9, 2011 at 2:16 am

    I just know more and more how important community is in our Christian walk and what a gift others are!

  3. blankPhather Phil Malmstrom says

    June 7, 2011 at 4:44 pm

    Amen Jean. We all can draw such wonderful strength and support from our Christian brothers and sisters, be they nearby or across the world.

    Have a Blessed Day!

  4. blankLaura@OutnumberedMom says

    June 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm

    I love this, Jeanie. Christian community helps us trust, wait, and hope — holds us as we wait for the future.

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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