Monday’s Scattered thoughts – Community
This weekend felt like work. I was tired, I wanted to sit and enjoy my coffee but I had something to do. Yard Sale. More like pawn off my useless crap to others who seem to find use out of crap. The reason I bring this up is because the only time I seem to interact with my neighbors is when I have a yard sale. And no I do not have yard sales often.
As our “Useless Crap Sale” drew to a close my neighbor meandered over to see how everything went and peruse our excess junk. As we made small talk he mentioned that he was going to be having a community party with a jumper for the kids, chik-fil-a, quiznos, hot dogs and the works. As I hesitated to answer yes, I remembered seeing a flyer for this party on my door (which I think is still sitting on the ground by the front door). So I thought to myself I better go to this. be a good neigherbor Pete will be there. (sung like the state farm commercial). So we get rid of our junk and finally get back home from the Goodwill and I’m already thinking of ways to get out of this verbal agreement. But I buckle down like the strong, mature, sincere person I should be and we attend this party.
I make my way over urging Jami to hurry up so we can get over there and then get out, but then something happened. duh duh duuuuuuuuhhhhh…. I met some great people. I had a good time. and I got to connect with people in way I hadn’t in a long time. And I read a facebook post from my wife “tonight my neighbors reminded me how important community is”. And I just let that sink in… and as I thought about it, I was amazed and the courage and selflessness it took this neighbor to come over and invite me as well as others to his home. And he shared his faith with us, he shared a message (litteraly) about knowing Christ/coming to Christ with us. And I knew immdediately there had been something intrinsically missing. Community! Connectedness.
It’s time to set some roots down.
