My introverted self is sometimes awkward and unsure. I feel like I can be clingy and weird. I feel like my insecurities sometimes make me seem stuck-up (or so I’ve been told).
And then there are the times when I don’t feel good enough, or cool enough, or pretty enough for deep friendships, yet I long to have a “kindred spirit, a bosom friend” (can you tell I’ve been reading Anne of Green Gables with my girls?). I desperately long to have people who are “my people” to do life with. People who will accept me when I’m at my very worst and love me when I’m at my best. People who aren’t afraid of my gushing tears… because this is how I process… because I’m really good at the ugly cry. People who welcome the good, the bad, the beautiful, the life changing.
I want to be loved and accepted and to feel like I belong… and I have a feeling I’m not the only one.
We all need community.
We all have a need to feel accepted and loved.
We all need people.
Why else would God say it is not good for man to be alone? – Genesis 2:18
Two are better than one – Ecclesiastes 4:9
Share each other’s burdens – Galatians 6:2
Where two or three gather – Matthew 18:20
Take delight in honouring each other – Romans 12:10
The list goes on and on.
See 30 passages of scripture on the importance of community.
The point?
We need each other.
We need to be real.
We need to encourage one another.
To inspire each other to be better.
To feel like we aren’t alone.
We need to take off the masks and let others see the true us. BUT …
In order to have good friends, we need to be good friends.
To let others see the ugly, and the parts of you that you want to change.
To rejoice in the good of others and celebrate with them when there is cause for celebration.
To hold them when they need to weep.
Relationships take work.
Community takes work.
And it can be oh so messy…
But oh so worth it.
Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.
~Hebrews 10:24
Kimberley has served with her husband loving the church through many different forms of ministry. She has watched people struggle to live our their Christian lives in the world and at times struggled herself with even wanting to go to church. Imagine a pastor’s wife who didn’t want to go to church?!! It is her desire to encourage the church to walk with the same expectancy she has found and to bring hope to others. She longs to see the church of God truly loving others. But Kimberley’s greatest passion remains for her husband and their three gorgeous, energetic, determined daughters! Feel free to follow along with her instagram journey: Kimberley Gal
Other posts by Kimberley: What Would It Look Like If We Lived In Such A Way That Our Love Compelled And Inspired People To Live Better?
