a fully functioning family, and community.

over the past year i have really been challenged to figure out the true meaning of community.  i have been incredibly overwhelmed by my realization of the amount of influence that a community has on a person, both negatively and positively. 

on a daily basis i work with teenagers who, unfortunately, have been surrounded by community that continually drags them down and is ill functioning.  as a staff team, we are always encouraging our kids to reflect on their 'chosen family' (those who may not be blood related, but who you have invited to build into you as a person).  i often encourage them to describe what they feel are positive qualities that they look for in a family and how their 'dream family/community' would function. 

this past year has turned out to be a 'practice what you preach' type of year for me.  the very things that i am teaching, God has been challenging me to evaluate what i am continually throwing at my kids; what does a well functioning, positive community/family look like?  as i ponder this question, i become overwhelmed by the outcome of my search.  i truly feel that i am living in what i believe God would call a well functioning community. 

i have four best friends. yes, four of them.  most people when they hear me say that, they think i'm just like a typical elementary school kid who overuses the term 'best friend' and considers anyone who shares their snack with them to be their best friend; this is until i am able to explain our friendship. 

the five of us have known each other for years.  some of us have even been friends longer then we haven't been friends, we grew up together.  to top it off, we are all each others best friends.  our relationship flows into all area's life.  it is in this group of women where i have experienced the true meaning of community. 

1 Corinthians 12:20-26 reads; 

 'Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you."  The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."

In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care.  So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, while the more honorable parts do not require this special care.  So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.  This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.  If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all parts are glad.'

each one of us brings unique qualities to the group.  we all have different gifting's,  different abilities.  where one is weak, the other is strong.  when one experiences excitement,  the other four experience great joy on behalf of that person.  we have all had our moments of disbelief, struggle, sadness, disappointment, and confusion, and the others have stood in belief on behalf of the one struggling.  we know one another's potential and ability, which in turn causes us to always be challenging each other, not allowing us to settle for less then what we are capable of.  it is because of this balance, intimacy, and transparency, that we are able to fully function as a family, as a community, and as one body.