COMMUNITY AND SAFETY
Walking hand in hand
Community and Safety
Rooted in God’s love
The prompt words for days 4 and 5 of #write28days are community and safety. As I thought of the meanings, I realized that the words go together quite well, as this passage from Ecclesiastes illustrates.
Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up. Also, if two lie down together, they can keep warm; but how can one person alone keep warm? And if someone overpowers one person, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
Of course, sometimes we need to be alone but not for extended periods of time. In community, we can share activities, encourage one another, pray and play together. My husband and I enjoy reading a variety of books aloud together. Most importantly we read the Bible, which keeps us grounded in truth. Every day we pray together, praising God and bringing our requests before Him. We know that His love never fails.
Friends and family help when we are feeling sad or frustrated or overwhelmed. Sharing a kind word or a smile, helping with errands or other chores, lending a listening ear or providing a meal are benefits of being in community with others. I’m sure we could all think of many more benefits, even if very small. There is also a sense of safety in community. Yet, we know that God is the ultimate source of our safety.
I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
(Psalm 4:8)
COMMUNITIES SECURE IN GOD’S LOVE
Several times a year, I meet with four friends for lunch or breakfast. We don’t see each other often, but our ties go back many years and are strong. Our kids grew up together, and we all face similar situations. We catch up on news and pray for each other and our families. It’s always a refreshing time, because we are bound together in God’s love.
I count my online communities just as important as my in person ones. Several of us have texted, phoned and prayed together. Bettie Gilbert and I have been friends for quite a few years and chat via text message almost every day. Besides our commitment to God, we have many other things in common.
Through the years we have shared laughter, tears, prayers, scriptures and songs of encouragement. Though we haven’t met in person, Bettie is one of my dearest friends. In fact, she is the one who gave me the nudge to join Chronic Joy. She was not pushy about it at all but began praying and encouraging me.
In God’s timing, I connected with Pamela Piquette, the Executive Director of Chronic Joy. An invitation, a phone call, prayers, and the rest is history. I’ve been with them for over two years and have grown to love the Chronic Joy community. Pamela is a dear friend and we usually talk via phone at least once a week and sometimes more.
Each of these relationships and communities are possible because of God’s love. We share a common bond and a desire to help others find the joy and peace that only God can give.
GOD’S PRICELESS LOVE
How priceless your faithful love is, God!
(Psalm 36:7-9)
People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
They are filled from the abundance of your house.
You let them drink from your refreshing stream.
For the wellspring of life is with you.
By means of your light we see light.
Community and safety seem to go hand in hand. God cares for His people and has made us for community. As we work together, sharing His love, using our words and talents to encourage one another, we are part of a bigger story – God’s story of love and redemption.
May His light shine so brightly through us that others will see His glory. As we live authentic lives, confessing our sin, receiving forgiveness, restoration and a peace beyond understanding, may others see and know that they can experience the same.
God is our refuge
His love cannot be measured
His wings cover us
God is our life-source
His abundance is endless
His light guides our way
I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, #Grace&Truth
I am so thankful that God wove our paths together in community dear Gayl! And I think it began with another series of community writing back in 2016. What a gift and blessing from our Lord! Thank you for all of your caring and support, and for making me feel safe! Love and hugs to you my dear sister. ♥️♥️
Dear Bettie, I am thankful, too, that God led us to each other those years ago. What a blessing our friendship has been to me! You are a true friend who sticks by me through the good and the bad. I’m so glad we can encourage each other. Blessings, love and hugs to you, dear sister! xoxo
I like how you’ve highlighted the connections between community and safety. Having a supportive community is so important to helping us feel safe.
Thank you, Kym! Yes, a supportive community really is important and sometimes hard to find. God has truly blessed me with community. Blessings to you!
It’s always a blessing to be a part of a caring, supportive and safe community and I’m glad that you are richly blessed in this!
Thank you, Corinne. I pray that all of us can be a part of a caring community, even if it has to begin online. May God help each of us find that community also in person right where we are. Blessings to you! xo
Amen to this: “May His light shine so brightly through us that others will see His glory. As we live authentic lives, confessing our sin, receiving forgiveness, restoration and a peace beyond understanding, may others see and know that they can experience the same.”
Bettie has been that same dear friend to me too on a daily basis now since 2016 – a constant reminder of God’s love for me through thick and thin. What a gift she is to so many of us. And I am so blessed by you too, Gayl – that even with your busy family life and your local friends and Chronic Joy work, you still make time for others, like me, also. Your sweet encouragement, handmade gifts and prayers over the years have been such a blessing.
You are right that Bettie is such a blessing to so many people. Her love for God shines through so brightly even in the midst of her pain. Thank you for your kind words. You have also been blessing to me through the years, dear Anna. I’m so glad God made our paths cross. Though we live so far apart, we are close in spirit and can encourage each other. Much love and many blessings to you, dear friend! xoxo