Yesterday I met my parents for lunch and we covered a lot of ground in that hour. Between preparing for a garage sale this weekend, to making sure I got all my gear together for training camp next week, to fundraising, I had overworked my mind in worry and stress. But, while I was sitting there listening to my parents, we were bouncing around different ideas for fundraising, I had a realization: we were made for THIS. This thing called life? Yeah, we were made to do it together. There is no way I could raise all the funds I need to go on the World Race on my own. Everyone who donated so far, whether it was $1 or $100, made a difference and I’m so grateful.
But, this post isn’t going to be about fundraising, it’s going to be about how we all need each other. It’s about the importance of community. In our society it is so easy for us to become selfish because we are taught to be independent and work hard so that we as individuals could be successful. Now, I’m not saying we shouldn’t be independent because I do think that we should be able to live without having to depend on others, but there comes a point where sometimes we become too independent and no longer have time to stop for a second to help someone. When we become too busy and focused on our own dreams that we don’t want to take a break to help a loved one move or listen to a friend in need, it becomes a problem.
We were created to have fellowship with one another, to go deeper in friendships, ultimately to do life together. When I look back on just this year alone I see how many times I needed help and when those around me listened or prayed with me, I was strengthened.
We were made to be there for each other in the big, scarier moments… When my grandpa was in the hospital in the beginning of January, our whole family came together to cry, pray and be there for each other in silence because sometimes that’s all we can do. I asked friends for prayer during this time too, and when my grandpa was released to go home the same day I left to go back to Hawaii I knew it was God and the power of the prayers of those around me.
And for the mundane, physical tasks… Shoutout to my roommate Rori, for helping me move all of my things to storage before my flight home.
And for the fun, happy moments… My happiest memories are those spent with good friends and family. There is just something about sharing an experience with another person that makes it more special. You can talk about how delicious that meal was with anyone, but when you share a bite of that meal with someone they get you. Same for concerts or visiting a new place- it’s those moments you share with someone else that you hold close to your heart.
I could go on forever about this topic because community and friendships are so important to me, but if you get anything from this post remember these things:
-
We were made to do life together.
-
Thank those around you who have helped you.
-
Take time to be there for your friends and family, even if its just to take a morning to meet up for coffee or breakfast.
“Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
