Corona Devo 1056

I attended a rather unorthodox (contrary to the usual) gathering-of-neighbors the other night.  But (you might say...) a gathering of neighbors isn't unorthodox, is it?  Neighbors and friends gather all the time.

But an evening spent with chips and chatter amongst neighbors is unorthodox when the neighbors (some of whom live next door or across the street from each other) don't know each other.  

Some of the ladies at our gathering had never met one another, even though we all live within (literal) yards of each other.

How did the gathering of strangers-to-friends happen?  Another neighbor and I had met many of the women on our street...and we knew that they were amazing, but none of them knew that about each other.  We felt that had to change...in the name of community.

My friend and I felt a beautiful burden from God to gather-the-girls, and it finally happened the other night.

  • But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other...  ~I John 1:7

It's so good to be in fellowship with each other.  So (somehow) relieving, so comfortable, so validating, so...good.

  • As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.  ~Proverbs 27:17

If we have forgotten how powerful chitter-chatter, community, and authentic (real...not fake!) friendship is...then may we feel a beautiful burden from God to connect with whoever-God-places-on-our-hearts...and GATHER today.

Why?

Because sometimes we feel alone.  Sometimes we feel like we are the only ones slogging-through-our-days/dragging-through-our-nights/and being-buried-by-the-stage-of-life that we are in.  

But we're not alone in feeling those things.  GATHER to connect with others and realize that.  

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  ~Galatians 6:2

~~~

Why?

Because joy is better when it's shared, and laughter is medicinal, and our Creator made us with a special setting to enjoy feeling a part of something with others.  GATHER and be reminded of that.

  • A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  ~Proverbs 17:22
  • Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.   ~Romans 12:15
  • And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another... ~Hebrews 10:25

Why?  Because everyone else's kids have walked past-and-over the pile of clothes/toys/items setting on the stairs waiting to be "taken up" just as many times as ours have.  

Why?  Because if we are feeling burnt-out, there's another in close proximity that is feeling burnt-out too, and we can encourage each other...if we can connect.  GATHER with someone today!

Why?  Because we weren't meant to live life alone.  Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: (10) If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

So...GATHER!  Get over the grudge, forgive the fault, love the sinner because we're just as sinful.  And watch and see that we have things in common with people. 

Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!  ~Romans 12:16

Live and learn that there are interesting, kind, fun people on our street/in our office/everywhere we go.  But we'll have the GATHER to figure that out. 

I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions... Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.  ~I Corinthians 1:10

~~~

Unorthodox or not, the other night, people from our street walked in as strangers but neighbors left as friends.  Left with bellies full of laughs (and chocolate pudding) and a shared sense of community.  I think that's what God wants for us in this life.  But we'll have to decide/purpose/make time to GATHER in order to experience it.   

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  ~2 Corinthians 13:14   Amen.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com





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