We humans need our peeps. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it has taught us how important it is (should I say need) to connect. Even a lock-down scenario couldn’t stop people from connecting. Bring on Zoom, social media groups and porch parties. Even the kiddoes discovered new ways of connecting. Our fourteen year-old engaged in outdoor activities that enabled him to connect with his friends… from biking and running to fort building and geocaching. Young and old, introverts and extroverts… absolutely nothing, not even a pandemic of the century, can stop us from inventing unique ways to connect with our peeps.
So what does being connected really mean? I am so glad you asked! To connect means to bring together or into contact so that a real link is established. Are you thirsty for more? (LOL) To make a connection involves a relationship in which a person, thing or idea is linked or associated with something else. The following words pop out at me: link, togetherness, relate… CONNECTEDness. When we connect with someone, it is so much more than just being in the same place at the same time. It means that a bond is established where people relate to each other and support each other. We feel what the other person feels and, even if we don’t agree with their points of view, we understand where they are coming from because of the link, CONNECTEDness and bond we share.
As Christians, we have a bond that can’t be broken with our God. He is our Father and we are His children... no matter what we do, how we act, or even how far we fall. He sees us through the righteous blood of Jesus... a precious bond that can’t be bought or earned, stolen or broken. AMEN! We are His for E-T-E-R-N-I-T-Y. I can’t begin to tell you just how priceless Jesus’ gift is for me… and for you… for all those who believe in Him.
While we are bonded to The Father, Son and Holy Spirit forever… to infinity and beyond! (couldn’t resist the Toy Story reference)… we all have the need, the desire, the passion to connect with our human peeps. We have an innate yearning to connect with those who provide us with support across our spectrum of needs. It is essential (2020’s word of the year!) that we bond with those who share our values and principles, while meeting our needs on a daily basis. People who will listen to our issues and concerns and provide advice, support, and even service based on their special gifts and unique experiences: their successes, trials, and even suffering. People who will experience our laughter and tears, our desires and worries, our triumphs and trials while sharing our Christian values and principles… a Christian community!
A few years ago, our church started a small group initiative where people regularly host a group either at their home or at a local place, such as a restaurant or café. My husband and I felt blessed to have a home to host others and… our small group was born. Within the first get together, we learned how the word community means “to come in unity”. I love that! We were amazed at how comfortable people felt sharing their “stuff” with the group. We have shared laughs and tears, hopes and fears… and even our darkest secrets with each other. We have cried happy tears over restored relationships and ugly tears over decades of abuse. Priceless “coming in unity” bonds!
No matter what we are facing, we are able to face it when we share it with those we are connected to. I have said it before, but it’s worth repeating… God meets us in our brokenness. He meets us there to bring us HOPE. His HOPE gives us HOPE and our HOPE becomes someone else's HOPE. Our brokenness becomes a bridge in which we connect with others. I. Just. Love. That! Brokenness… HOPE… Bridge… HOPE. These “meetings” create a community bridge… bridging the gap that is created by our HOPElessness; filling the gap in a unified HOPE.
Now, more than ever, we need to create a community of people who support each other in our time of need; using the gifts God gave us and HOPE as our guide. No matter how we struggle and no matter what our needs, we must remember that we are in this world to be a light to others. While this world is not our permanent home because our home is with our Heavenly Father, while we are here, we are to give God the glory and the world our light. We can accomplish both objectives by connecting and supporting, relating and servicing, linking and bonding to each other.
We are to establish strong bonds with others… a community of connections. A community of connections built on HOPE. Stay tuned for my next blog post as I announce a strategically inspiring way we can connect with fellow peeps who share our Christian values and principles WHILE financially supporting our churches. A community for your home and loved ones… a community connected with HOPE. (HUGE HOPE HINT: this logo is a symbol of this new community. The house represents home and the butterfly HOPE. But it is so much more on so many levels.) A community of HOPE for your home, your loved ones, your business and your church is on the way!
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