Tip of My Iceberg

We call ourselves the BSGE. Best Small Group Ever.

Some of it has to do with the length of time we’ve been meeting together. Some of it has to do with the the closeness we’ve developed over years of sharing life.

A lot of it has to do with the how much we trust each other.

We gathered together with other friends to celebrate a couple who has been part of us and is moving. Their destination is a place we all know and love because it’s where our company met for 45 years during the summers for training, classes, and encouragement.

Fort Collins, Colorado.

You know how thrilled you can be for someone you care about is achieving a dream? When you can genuinely rejoice with someone because they’re so excited about what comes next? That was the atmosphere of this gathering.

Everyone was in denial that our friends were moving far away.

Living in a community with others is essential to our well-being. I’m not talking about surrounding ourselves with people just like us–that creates a silo of isolation that prevents growth and change. A community of diversity, where we all are unique in our stories gives us a healthy foundation for development and a safe place to be authentically us.

This isn’t an easy task in a world where people are suspicious of our motives, questioning of our kindness, or wondering how they might appear in the social-media universe. The need to connect well with other people is a God-given need and gift. We weren’t created to live lives apart from others but in harmony with others from hearts full of love.

“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:8-10

This reflects an attitude of caring for others that is selfless, a frame of mind that doesn’t focus on how we appear to others but on how we can help others who have needs greater and different from our own.

I can’t do that apart from Jesus in me. By nature I’m selfish; I want what I want. I become annoyed when others disagree with me or shut down my plans. Not a gracious spirit at all.

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” Philippians 2:34.

What makes a great community? Not necessarily great people but people who choose to do great things for others. A remarkable community is made up of broken people who own their mess and choose to love others despite problems or disagreements,

Our community of friends will miss this dear couple. When the women got together for the picture, there were jokes, laughter, and a few tears. We’ll be losing two of our own, and it will leave a hole.

We celebrate the beauty of what we share together. There will be miles separating us, but that won’t change the love we share.

There’s an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.”

It’s more than that.

It takes a village to grow a village.