It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To Cry

February is upon us now and Phil has said six more weeks of winter.  Speaking of continuing, another semester has approached and another semester is in the books.  Lately, i’ve been on the tactic of finding a “real community”, finding a community that is desireable and that can fit what I feel my life is longing for.  I’ve had opportunities to encounter on what could be my “real community” but they either have fizzled out or have not been what I am looking for.  We all desire a community to belong to, we all desire to be loved, we all desire to not be left in the alone in the cold. All the times i’ve approached this “real community” it has felt like a cracked door that is then to be frozen and completely shut, not to be opemed ever again.  If millions of people can gather at the Presidential Inauguration in the act of a community following one man, they why can’t I gather with others fellowshiping finding the “real community”. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ right?

One problem is that a sense of fear approaches me.  I am afraid of what to think about the others I may come across in finding this “real community”.  That really shouldn’t be a problem, I should be open and ready.  Another reason for not finding the “real community” at the moment is that God might be planting the community for me right now and I might just be waiting to get on board, or maybe I am not ready, and I need to pursue of the plans God has put forth in my path.

For the time being, I must love others. I need to appreciate the people that surround me at this moment, while looking for what I desire in a “real community”-authenticity and true relationships.  As I continue on the journey to finding a “real community”, may other real friendships blossom, may God take his hand in guiding this journey not only is life, but the pursuit of something greater, the epicenter, the core of God’s love, into the faith that bounds us together.

As Paul writes in Ephesians 4

“And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

“keep your coat on. the city trembles as you untangle God from cold blood and bruises’

careful hands-sleeping at last