Back In My Day
I’m sure everyone has heard the stories that begin with
these four words….and I’m sure they bring some sort of joy and laughter to
everyone with the many possibilities that follow these words. I always think of the one about walking
a mile in the snow barefoot (really, do you really want me to believe that?!),
or how you can buy a loaf of bread for like two cents, or a RC-cola and a
Moonpie for 5 cents at the local corner store! I love hearing those stories…the ones that seem
unbelievable! And then you hear
the even more unbelievable stories of how you could leave your front doors
unlocked, or better yet, sleep on the front porch in the summers. Or what about how neighbors baked pies
and goodies for each other, and provided a cup of sugar or milk or both for
those who come asking! Or maybe
even a bed for those who need it! And how everyone knew everyone’s business! I always get tickled about that one, because I always
envision a bunch of old ladies sitting around and playing Yuker or knitting and
drinking tea, and discussing the issues of their neighborhood! Ha! I mean, all that stuff back in the day….was that really
real?! And I get to thinking, “Shouldn’t
that be how it is today?”
Okay, hear me out on this one! I don’t mean that we should be sitting around and drinking
tea or lemonade and gossiping about why Sally and John are having marital
problems again, or why little Bobby is a trouble maker…or do I?! I just feel like maybe the people back
in the day may have had a better grip on Community!
I believe that God has such amazing plans for all of our
lives, and that He wants to share those plans for us. And I believe that He wants relationship with us that will
constantly stretch and develop us, and cause us to fall even more in love with
Him. But I also believe that He
calls us into a community with each other. I think that He never intended for us to go alone in this
world. And yes, I believe that He
is with us always, but I mean, I believe that He meant for us to grow together
in fully knowing Him.
You see, with community (the true definition of community),
we choose to trust each other, which means that we need to be vulnerable with each
other. When you bring things into
the light and learn to trust each other while seeking out the Lord, then there
can be no shame, embarrassment, and regrets! Yeah…sounds easier than actually doing it, huh?!
All I know is that it seems like they had more of a handle
of this thing called community that looks a little more like the Acts Church
than maybe we do now!
How many of us even take the time to talk to people in the
supermarket, or even our neighbors? How many of us are willing to share what we call “our money” with those
in need….like the single mom next door who works 3 jobs and still has a hard
time making rent?! And how many of
us have really been “real” with those around us?! Or how many of us would
really open our doors to strangers, or even to people we know?!
This is not a “you should be ashamed of yourself if you do
this” blog…but it’s just a reminder that God calls us to so much more than we
know! Are we willing to go there?! And maybe this blog makes no sense to
anyone…but, maybe it’s something to think about! Your choice!
