This week I have enjoyed, & lived in the benefit of, community. The Stamp's thrive in community. We revel in it. We believe it's vital for our daughters to grow up in it. No man is an island. But why?
Last time I exclaimed - there are no sick days for mothers! How wrong am I? The offers came flying in...offers of breaks, of entertaining Bean, of company over coffee. All the things that make sickness bearable - especially when caring for a young brood! True community cares enough to circle around the weak, to help them get strong. Like the water buffalo!
I once heard some teaching about the water buffalo. They live like no other community. At the watering hole, the strong ones gather on the edge of the group. Guarding. Protecting. Enabling the weaker ones to get a good drink & get strong. As the weaker ones gain strength, they move. They take their place. Moving towards the edge of the group, allowing the once stronger ones to move in and drink.
And a community with faith in Jesus, is a unique expression of Jesus' love for his followers. It screams & shouts REAL love. It makes real, the intangible concepts of faith. We want our girls to witness this. To have their lives shaped by it. To see Jesus in it.
My first challenge is to overcome, in myself, the one thing that destroys community...independence! Our second challenge is...to raise independent girls that thrive in community! I'll keep you posted on how that works out!!
No comments:
Post a Comment