When we moved back to Texas, I was so excited about my son going to school. I have always looked forward to working on school crafts and field trips and programs. So, when my sons kindergarten field trip came up, I couldn’t wait to go. I remember pulling up to the school that morning and parking my car as I waited for the buses to go so that I could follow. I sat in my car and watched all the other moms arriving. But soon my joy became an overwhelming sadness. I watched as moms got out of the car and walked to another one to ride together. I watched as they laughed walking from car to car to say hello. I watched as I sat in my car, alone. I didn’t know anyone. I felt so alone. I’m ashamed to say that I cried that morning in my car.
I keep hearing the word community everywhere. It’s bombarding me everywhere I go. And it’s because of this word that I shared my pity party story. Two years ago, I cried sitting in my car at my son’s school. My loneliness almost robbed me of the joy of that special day with my child. Last week, I went to my daughter’s kindergarten field trip. I sat in the car line and talked on the phone for a minute with a friend. I walked in with friends. I met friends inside.
I have written before about the importance of community and my longing for it. The past couple of weeks, God has shown me the community that I so desired. He saw my tears. He has blessed me beyond what I had even hoped for. If I’m truthful, I feel as though I don’t deserve it. How ridiculous I was then. But God, in all His greatness, decided to show me how much He loves me. First, with my daughter’s birthday party. When I was stressed, friends walked in and immediately started helping and even helped me clean up. When I needed help with my youngest daughter so that I could go on the field trip, a friend kept her child home from school to play with mine. My list could go on and on.
Genesis 2:18 tells us that, “It is not good that man should be alone.” Yes, in context, this is when God made Eve for Adam as his helpmate. But it goes beyond that as well. We are not meant to walk through this life alone. Seclusion is such a dangerous thing. To be lost in our own mind, we find ourselves crying in our solitude. Fueling only pity for ourselves. This is not what He calls us to.
Even now, as I sit watching the cartoon version of the Grinch, I can’t help but laugh. He was secluded until one little girl reminded him that people are what is important. He was mean and angry until he found people to do life with. Who reminds you of that? When you shut yourself off from others, who pulls you out of the darkness and back to His everlasting joy? If you have that community, cherish it. Take every opportunity that you have to be a part of it. If you don’t have it, search it out. Cry out to God for it. He will answer the cries of your heart!
Sunshine and Whispers 