Thankful For Community

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. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

As a new school year begins, I am very grateful for and giving thanks to God for my community. A group of like-minded individuals whom God has surrounded us with. How our family came to be a part of this wonderful community is nothing short of a miracle and a testament to the Bible verse that says, the footsteps of the righteous are ordered of the Lord.

The steps of a [good and righteous] man are directed and established by the LORD. Psalm 37:33

We are made righteous when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior because as 2 Corinthians 5:21 puts it, I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. Not because of my works, so no one can boast, but because of the finished works of Jesus on the cross.

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Now back to our wonderful community: it is a parent led Christian Homeschoolers community that meets once a week to pray, study and play together. This is a day that our children look forward to very much and rightly so. As we are shown in His Word, God created us for community. He testifies to this when He says in Genesis 2:18 that it is not good for man to be alone, so God goes ahead and skillfully creates a companion for Adam. It doesn’t stop there; God then gives Adam and Eve a command to fill the earth!

God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Genesis 1:28

When I mentioned that it was the Spirit of God that led me to this community, I mean that I had deeply desired for a group of like-minded people to do life with. People that understood and appreciated our values and beliefs as a family. I needed people who had been doing this longer than we had who could point out what to avoid and what to double our efforts on, whom I could look to for encouragement and advice knowing that it would be sound Biblical advice that has been tested by time and firsthand experience. True to His Word when He says call on Me and I will answer you and show you things you know not of (Jeremiah 33:3), God led me step by step this community that met our needs. Usually, one gets to know about it by word of mouth or through attending the same Church as someone already part of it, so it came as a surprise that I knew no one when I applied to join. But that did not stop them from welcoming our family with open arms. The genuine hand of friendship that was extended to us really warmed our hearts. It is one of the reasons why now, two years in, I make the conscious effort to extend a warm hand of welcome and friendship to new families that join our community. I know how settling it felt for me while I was on the receiving end. Like a validation to assure the heart and affirm that yes! You have found your tribe, let’s do life together!

That’s not to say there are no ups and downs. There will be a few toes stepped on, and that is where the love of Christ that we share comes in handy. We apologize, give and receive forgiveness, and move on stronger and closer knit.

I have seen this community rally together when a family is facing a hard time and have witnessed them celebrate various joys and wins in the lives of others like they were their own.

Recently, I reached out to one of the Mums about the apprehension I had about some new tasks I would be embarking on within the community this year, and she basically said to me don’t worry, I’ve been there, I felt what you felt, this is how I handled it, and you will be great! Have faith! Which might I add, is exactly the encouragement I needed to hear! How awesome is it that someone who experienced exactly what I’m going through now is sharing with me the tools she used to not only make it through but thrive and excel at her God given assignment, which not only benefited the community but led to her own growth. This made me think to myself: I look forward to being an encouragement to others as well along the way.

I pray God will surround you with uplifting and loving community like He has for me, and I encourage you to look for the opportunity to be that uplifting and encouraging community for someone as well!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10