And alas, I agree with the comment about the church when compared to 12 step gatherings, "how could this be?". That's a discussion that needs to happen...
With this growing community I share a favorite moment that occurs each year at Young Life Camp work week.
Several hundred volunteers show up for a week in may to 'prepare' the camp for kids who will arrive the next week to enjoy 'the best week of their life'. These volunteers are part of a divine mission, and get down in different struggles this week, everything from deep cleaning to flower bed prepping, it's attention to details and doing stuff to support the property staff.
I have been. numerous times with great teams, and the memory I speak of that so resonates isn't the work that is accomplished, or being on a shared mission, it's the vibe as everyone breaks for lunch and gathers. You wash up, but just your hands, the rest what you are wearing declares your struggles. You got the work boots on, the Carhartt pants, favorite work jacket, all beat up and showing the signs of being outside in the mountains, wearing 3 or four days of effort. You sit, enjoy a meal,and share of the days struggle, nobody's hiding the dirty, no need to be ashamed.
So yeah, that's it, I long for the church to be that community.
So well put Jon. What I see in that story is a beautiful co-laboring towards a common goal. It’s such a gift to be a part of a community that is living a story, going on a journey together. Those types of people/ communities and places are becoming so rare. Thank you for creating that space for me and being that story live-er. What you bring to the world in that regard is truly unique and precious. Thanks for taking the time to respond on here. I truly value your input. ❤️
I have been having a hard time with my close friend, that I've known ever since we were 12yr olds. We've got caught up in our lives that I felt distant from her. I ended up making her feel left out, avoided, leaving this friendship in a stagnant position.
So last month we agreed upon taking a break from the friendship. As I read this post, I was trying to look back in days, to understand what kind of a friendship we had and so on.
I remember thinking, I do not know what having a friend means anymore. Is it just a person that I can talk to? Who thinks like me? I do not know.
I'm not sure how our friendship/ if our friendship is going to heal. I don't even know if I desire it either coz it feels like nothing to me now.
It doesn't seem to have the same meaning it used to hold in my heart.
Is it normal to come to such a phase in friendship?
Hey Hannah! Thanks for your thoughtful response and genuine questions here! That sounds really hard. I do think it is really normal for friendships to ebb and flow. I’ve had friendships that really benefitted from some time of separation and felt fresh and new when they were resumed. If it feels like a really important relationship to resume at some point, finding a kind and unpresumptuous way to do that could be the move!
Wonderful thoughts. It had me thinking through my friendships & who I desire to seek a deeper relationship with. Thank you!
Thanks for reading ❤️
And alas, I agree with the comment about the church when compared to 12 step gatherings, "how could this be?". That's a discussion that needs to happen...
With this growing community I share a favorite moment that occurs each year at Young Life Camp work week.
Several hundred volunteers show up for a week in may to 'prepare' the camp for kids who will arrive the next week to enjoy 'the best week of their life'. These volunteers are part of a divine mission, and get down in different struggles this week, everything from deep cleaning to flower bed prepping, it's attention to details and doing stuff to support the property staff.
I have been. numerous times with great teams, and the memory I speak of that so resonates isn't the work that is accomplished, or being on a shared mission, it's the vibe as everyone breaks for lunch and gathers. You wash up, but just your hands, the rest what you are wearing declares your struggles. You got the work boots on, the Carhartt pants, favorite work jacket, all beat up and showing the signs of being outside in the mountains, wearing 3 or four days of effort. You sit, enjoy a meal,and share of the days struggle, nobody's hiding the dirty, no need to be ashamed.
So yeah, that's it, I long for the church to be that community.
So well put Jon. What I see in that story is a beautiful co-laboring towards a common goal. It’s such a gift to be a part of a community that is living a story, going on a journey together. Those types of people/ communities and places are becoming so rare. Thank you for creating that space for me and being that story live-er. What you bring to the world in that regard is truly unique and precious. Thanks for taking the time to respond on here. I truly value your input. ❤️
I have been having a hard time with my close friend, that I've known ever since we were 12yr olds. We've got caught up in our lives that I felt distant from her. I ended up making her feel left out, avoided, leaving this friendship in a stagnant position.
So last month we agreed upon taking a break from the friendship. As I read this post, I was trying to look back in days, to understand what kind of a friendship we had and so on.
I remember thinking, I do not know what having a friend means anymore. Is it just a person that I can talk to? Who thinks like me? I do not know.
I'm not sure how our friendship/ if our friendship is going to heal. I don't even know if I desire it either coz it feels like nothing to me now.
It doesn't seem to have the same meaning it used to hold in my heart.
Is it normal to come to such a phase in friendship?
Hey Hannah! Thanks for your thoughtful response and genuine questions here! That sounds really hard. I do think it is really normal for friendships to ebb and flow. I’ve had friendships that really benefitted from some time of separation and felt fresh and new when they were resumed. If it feels like a really important relationship to resume at some point, finding a kind and unpresumptuous way to do that could be the move!
Jon C! great to enjoy your insights, and we appreciate the special connection points you have with your mom, that's the good stuff! j~!
Love this so much! These are my favorite friendships, and I'm grateful to have many of them.
Thanks so much Leigh! Appreciate you taking the time to read! Glad to hear you've got some amazing people in your life. Such a gift.
Great essay, brother!
Thanks Michael! Appreciate the encouragement!