Community - Whas' That?
November 13, 2004
"Whas' that?" is my son's catch all phrase and I thought it was appropriate here. He sometimes uses it because something has caught his attention, and his curiosity is sparked. Recently I've found my attention caught by the experience of community. It's like I'm mimicking Aiden - "community - whas' that?". I'm not sure I can put words to it but I want to try without using a concrete definition.
Last night our community gathered to pray. We met in the home where my family now lives and ministers to homeless, unwed mothers. As we sang, Aiden was doing his usual thing...dancing to the music, coloring, and walking around interacting with people. He passed crayons to Barbie, colored with me, sat in his Mom's lap, got his guitar and tried to help our worship leader Josh. While all this was happening, one of our pastors (Jim) was sitting on the floor. At one point he raised his hands as he worshipped God. As he did, Aiden walked over in his gentle fashion and put his arm around Jim as if to comfort him or tell him he loved him. Jim returned the hug with a kiss as if to say "Thank you, you are special." Even though you are only 17 months old, I appreciate that you care about me.
Tears came to my eyes as I realized how much that meant to me. Aiden is my son, but he is also Jim's son, Roy's son, Barbie's son, and the list goes on and on. Our church is becoming a place where we are all family. We live and share our lives on a daily basis. We share meals, watch TV, go places together, and, yes, we even help raise children. We live and share our lives together.
Thirty-three year old Roy is Aiden's constant loving companion. Aiden is so delighted when Roy walks in the door. Sometimes he bashfully runs away from Barbie because he wants her attention. He enjoys her joy and spirit of life. He gently lays his head on Miss Betty's shoulder while she rubs his back.
It scares me to think what my life would be without this. What would my life be like if all the friends I love were somehow removed? What if we had to go back to a lifestyle that is all about me? The American dream of self-reliance, self-preservation, self, self, and more self could be ours again. Our privacy could be restored and we could live in a world that promotes these values over the values of love, truth-telling, service, community, and sacrifice.
I have lived that life. I guess I should say that I hid in that life. That life helped create an illusion of safety and security. It kept me and my sin intact. But today, my life is lived openly in fellowship with those around me. We all have areas that make us hard to love. Yet we work hard on pressing through those areas in an atmosphere of love and transparency. And the result is that I find myself being increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.
I know that I love my son, and I love how my son is loved within this small group that is church. I'm beginning to call this place home.
Community - "whas' that?" I don't really know how to put it into words, but it is looking and feeling more like home every day.