{ Me + April on a tribal outing }
Dear Awesome Girl,
When people gather around a common interest or value, community is born. But whether or not that community will grow and thrive and foster healthy, loving, honest relationships is up to the individuals who make up that community and the leadership who determines the vision and helps to nurture the culture of that community.
I have had mixed experiences with community. I have been in communities that made my skin crawl, where gossip and backbiting were a common, everyday occurence. I have been part of a grace-filled community that has welcomed a transgender Christian, struggling with his faith. I have been part of a life-giving community of friends, deep and true, where you can let your guard down completely, knowing with all your heart that they will always think the best of you, even when you are a blubbering and snotty mess of a failure and you’ve completely screwed up big time.
Such is this life we belong to. People are fickle and often self-seeking. But we are also kind and capable of great love.
May you find and nurture your own life-giving community. And may it add laughter and love to this wild life we are called to live.
XOXO,
Jan
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