We were made for it but for many, it has also wounded us.

You know it as well as I do, community can heal but community can hurt.

Sometimes it walks away and sometimes we choose to do the walking, but instead of focusing on the have-beens or the maybe-some-days I want to encourage you with two simple thoughts:

We were made for community and there is a community that will come and choose to stay.

You’ve probably heard it before and you’ll probably hear it again but listen, we’ve got to tell and re-tell ourselves the truth until it sinks in deep. We were made for community, to live in fellowship with each other. We were made in His likeness, in His image, and God is in fact community.

Father. Son. Holy Spirit.

Three in one. Don’t ask me to explain it because I cannot. You may call it a problem but I just call it a mystery.

I don’t want a God I can explain because then what kind of God is that? If He says He is three but also one, then I simply choose to believe it. But look back at it again and instead of trying to wrestle with the numbers or make it make sense, grab hold of this: God is community.

At all times, He is community. And I can’t help but think that if God chose to be in community then I should choose to be in community. Even when it hurts. Even when it isn’t convenient. Even when I have to work hard to make time. Even when I’m scared. Even when I’m tired.

God is community and we were made in His image. We were made for community.

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NLT

You may read those words and stare at the screen thinking, “Well that’s great and all, but community hasn’t worked out so well for me. I’ve tried hard and I’ve poured out. I’ve given grace but I just keep getting hurt. I get that we were made for it, but I just don’t have community in my life.”

I get it. I’ve been there. For years I did this thing called life basically on my own and oh girl, it is hard. And so I simply want to say that I’m sorry. I am sorry for the hurts caused by community and I’m so sorry for every time someone walked away. I hate that you’ve chosen to get back up again and give it another shot, only to be quieted down or pushed away.

I know it may be hard to believe but read these words with your heart and not your brain. Let your heart hear them as they fall:

Community will come and community will choose to stay.

It may not come tomorrow and let’s be honest, if it came according to our timeline then it simply never would have left. There’s that slogan “have it your way” but listen, this is not a Burger King life. We don’t get to pick and choose every little thing.

But we do have the opportunity to show up.

We can choose to build bridges instead of walls. Will we get hurt again? Yes. We are all human and we mess up, so you will certainly be hurt again. But somewhere along the way you’ll meet these people who will become your community and you’ll look up one day to find that the hurts are all worth it.

But here’s the secret: there is not one person on this earth who can 100% promise to stay. We make those promises and we offer those words but there is only One we can be certain will not fail us.

And that One is actually Three and so Community is present and Community is not going anywhere.

My hope is that you will have real-life, in the flesh community. But I am confident that Community is already here and It isn’t going anywhere.

#fmfpartysnailmail was born out of a bunch of us looking for encouragement in our mailboxes. Each week, slipped between a bill or a magazine or a newsletter, is a hand-written note of encouragement, a verse or a reminder that God is always enough. Today I am welcoming my #fmfpartysnailmail friends over and inviting them to link-up on community. Please feel free to link-up as well, whether you are part of Round Three or not!

 

Now, how about a giveaway?!

One lucky winner will receive a bunch of prizes and I think you’re going to love them!

First, the winner will be able to choose one of June Caedmon’s books! Available in both eBook and paperback are Heart’s Desire and Starflower. Available in paperback only is Gladness for Mourning. Make sure to look at all three and then you’ll simply let me know which one you would prefer! Totally up to you!

Next, you will receive this absolutely adorable Grace & Gratitude from Mary & Martha! Mary Bonner has graciously included this item in the giveaway and whether you cook or not, you’re going to look so cute while you make something yummy or make a mess. Mary & Martha is connected with DaySpring, so you know all their items are both well-made and adorable.

Description: “Ruffled apron has rows of colorful prints with the theme verse and the message, A grateful soul is truly blessed, scrolled just under the waistband. The neck straps are each 1″ wide and 8″ long and tie together for an adjustable fit. The tie waist straps are each 1″ wide, 26 1/2″ across, and 32″ long. Machine washable.”

Finally, the winner will also receive a set of 12 personalized notecards and a few packages of scripture cards from Rachael Gilbert. The winner will be able to choose between linen or pearl paper notecards. Wouldn’t these be so cute with your name on them? Although #fmfpartysnailmail Round Three is coming to a close, I bet over the last seven weeks you’ve thought of plenty of friends who could use a little bit of handwritten encouragement! And hey, you could always hold onto them for a possible Round Four?!

Round Three Happiness

Please note: This giveaway is open to Round Three participants. Thank you for your understanding. I will contact the winner via the email they used to sign up for Round Three.

Writer’s Note: Affiliate links used in this post. If you decide to purchase any of these items, I would greatly appreciate if you’d click through any of the links in this post and then do your shopping. If you do so, a small percentage of what you spend will go to me. It does not cost you any more, but it helps me as I pay for this new space (!!!).