Community

When God keeps bringing up the same thing over and over again it seems like a good time to start listening. A while back my friend posted on her blog and one of the things she talked about was the importance of community. Then I was visiting my aunt's church and the pastor was preaching about community. Later another friend shared how much she was longing to really connect with a community in her new town.

Community. What do you think of when you hear that word? A town? A church? A community center? School? Work? Friends?

The truth is, community is not just a location. It's people. The people in your life. For me I have a couple of different main groups of community.

-My youth leaders- Okay so not all of them are actually youth leaders but these are the people who work with me in the youth group and they are a huge support system in my life. We talk about everything from what's going with the kids and their families, how we can pray for them, to what's going on in our own lives. We encourage each other, lift each other up in prayer, hold each other accountable and mercilessly tease each other. We would not have the youth group we have, nor would I have grown as much as I have without this crew by my side. And since I know at least one or two of them follow my blog let me just say- I love you all!

-My critique group- Honestly we don't always talk about writing but they are amazing people and I wouldn't know what to do without them. Over the last year these ladies have become a constant support system in my life. They comforted me when I cried, made me laugh when I wanted to scream, cajoled me out of bad moods and cheered me on through the ups and downs of life and of course, offered up tons of prayers on my behalf. In fact, they are often the inspiration behind a lot of my blog posts and the fact that they take time out of their crazy, busy lives to read these lets me know how much they care. You two are amazing! I will never stop being grateful God put us in each other's lives!

-My parents- They have and always will be heroes in my book. They were my confidants and cheering section all through my childhood and they still are now that I'm an adult. They taught me what it means to live by faith, to be real instead of just putting up a good front. They inspire me to put myself out there and risk the pain because I've seen them do it again and again. They've never hesitated to open up their hearts and homes and even when they got hurt it didn't stop them from helping the next person who needed it. Thanks Mom and Dad, for being the amazing people you are and teaching me how to draw closer to Christ by living out your faith every day.

-My friends- Even though everyone I've already listed are definitely my friends these are the few people who don't fit into one of the other categories. They are the ones who listen to my rants and laugh when I do something stupid then turn around to help me figure out how to fix it. Without these people I would be at a loss. They offer me an outside perspective on just about every situation under the sun. They give me a hug when I most need it and they translate my incomprehensible ramblings when I'm at the end of my rope. And they spoil me with things like, gifts just because, cookies, chocolate and meals out. Who could go wrong with that?

These are the groups who keep me going. They're such a part of my everyday life that when I don't talk to them I feel disconnected. They're so different but they all have one amazing thing in common. Every single person I've listed continuously points me back to Jesus. That's not by accident. These are the people that God has put in my life and I've chosen to open up to. I've weighed their advice and found it to be godly, wise and trustworthy so I continue letting them further in.

The people in your community will affect so much about your life. They'll affect your mood, your decisions and over time they'll challenge and even affect your beliefs. That's why it's so important to keep a good community around you. God didn't make us to be alone. He made us to be social beings. Some people are less social then others but we all interact and we need to be careful who we're letting in to the deep places of our hearts.

I remember when I was in middle school and while at a family party my great-uncle sat down next to me. He said "So Kattarin, tell me about your friends." When I asked him why his answer was simple but profound. "If I know about your friends, I'll know about you."

Who you surround yourself with is of critical importance. Make sure that it's people who are lifting you and up and pointing you towards the God who we were made to have community with.