I turned to the dictionary for a definition for community to tie my whimsical ideas of a community together into something concrete, but only found dull and simplistic definitions. What Michelle and I experienced this weekend wasn't dull or simplistic, it was powerful, uplifting, comforting, and loving.
Dozens of friends and family converged on our backyard to give it a total makeover. We had 400ft. Of fence that needed to come down. Flower beds overflowing with weeds, dead trees that needed to come down, numerous other jobs to be done. This was a monstrous task to take on, one that Michelle and I would never be able to handle on our own. However our community rallied behind us and uplifted our yard and our home to a level we only dreamed of. Not only did people close to us shower us with grace and love but complete strangers joined the army to make a tremendous impact. Rock Valley Fencing sent a 6 man team on a Saturday morning they normally wouldn't work to build my fence with free labor. Dudes I'd never met working their ass off for what they said was a family in their community and communities lift each other up.
Watching fellow teachers, neighbors, family members, friends, even friends of friends and children rally behind us to make such an impact while also enjoying one another was such an incredible thing to experience. ALS not only physically attacks you but also wages war on your emotions. Worry and fear have a way of blindsiding me when I'm most vulnerable, like in the middle of the night when I have nothing to distract me. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night, only I wasn't filled with worry, I was filled with peace and love.
Many would say I've been dealt an awful hand and should be filled with grief and resentment towards God, but after this latest example of Grace in my life I can say with certainty that my life has a purpose, support and love is plentiful and my community is far from dull and generic, it's exceptional.
Dozens of friends and family converged on our backyard to give it a total makeover. We had 400ft. Of fence that needed to come down. Flower beds overflowing with weeds, dead trees that needed to come down, numerous other jobs to be done. This was a monstrous task to take on, one that Michelle and I would never be able to handle on our own. However our community rallied behind us and uplifted our yard and our home to a level we only dreamed of. Not only did people close to us shower us with grace and love but complete strangers joined the army to make a tremendous impact. Rock Valley Fencing sent a 6 man team on a Saturday morning they normally wouldn't work to build my fence with free labor. Dudes I'd never met working their ass off for what they said was a family in their community and communities lift each other up.
Watching fellow teachers, neighbors, family members, friends, even friends of friends and children rally behind us to make such an impact while also enjoying one another was such an incredible thing to experience. ALS not only physically attacks you but also wages war on your emotions. Worry and fear have a way of blindsiding me when I'm most vulnerable, like in the middle of the night when I have nothing to distract me. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night, only I wasn't filled with worry, I was filled with peace and love.
Many would say I've been dealt an awful hand and should be filled with grief and resentment towards God, but after this latest example of Grace in my life I can say with certainty that my life has a purpose, support and love is plentiful and my community is far from dull and generic, it's exceptional.
God is good!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve all that love, dont you just hate those middle of the night thoughts? Your yard looks great!
ReplyDeleteYou deserve all that love, dont you just hate those middle of the night thoughts? Your yard looks great!
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