True Community...

On morning 3 of our trip, I woke up in tears.  After spending several days with these boys who were now men and listening to them and joking with them and watching them love each other and my husband, I was struck in my heart about Acts 2:42-47.  These young men had grown into a community of believers who took care of one another, met one another's needs, loved each other, held each other accountable, and supported one another.  It was the most authentic example of Christian community that I had ever witnessed.  They were so honest with one another (and with us).  They were so loving.  They were so selfless.  They were so gracious and thankful.

I am so thankful that God was merciful enough to let me experience what true Christian community can look like on earth.  Thank you, Lord Jesus, for opening my mind and filling my heart with your truth.  I think that oftentimes people believe real community is when people bring you meals after you've had a child or when people give you money when your house has been broken into...and while those things are important, prayer is neglected....prayer is an afterthought...reminding that person of God's unfailing love and His sovereingty takes a back seat to giving a bag of canned goods, when really, who God is in His character, is the only thing that helps us get through...it is the one thing that sustains us...and it is the one thing that is often an afterthought in community.

Trying to tell Cedric how much I love him (notice he's ignoring me)

These boys, I'm sorry I still think they are 15 years old, these men, who are now 20 and 21, have an understanding of love and community that is so ridiculously radical.  It has completely changed my way of looking at community and reignited a passion within me for believing that true, authentic community exists.

I am so proud of them.  As a mom of boys, they have shown me both the challenges and joys of helping shape boys into men.  Men who love Jesus.  Men who are independent.  Men who take care of business.  Men who are hardworkers.  They have inspired me.  God has opened my eyes to what can be because of these young men.

Truly, how great is the God we serve!