Community
Webster defines community as: "a unified body of individuals"*
*it says a lot more than that, but this is enough to get the entry off the ground.
When I lived in State College, I felt like I belonged to a community... or maybe communities. I knew a lot of people and it wasn't uncommon that I would walk down the street and see someone I knew. I loved that. Of course, when trying to get away from people I knew, I had to find a place apart - so I went to Starbucks. This isn't to say I was tired of my community or that they were a challenge to me - I just wanted to make sure I got some quality alone time with God! It became my Sunday morning routine to hole away at the College Avenue Starbucks and spend hours reading and praying... true quality time...**
**the irony is that this eventually became a community for me as well as I got to know the Sunday morning regulars and my quiet time was interrupted more and more frequently with conversations. Divine appointments I say!
When I came to Indy, I knew two people*** and it was easy for me to feel lonely in a place that's considerably bigger than State College. When I got an apartment of my own, my loneliness was compounded and it became my daily prayer that God would bless me with a new community. But where would I find them? Previously, I'd met people at church (but I was still trying to find a church family) or at work (but my new job has a grand total of five employees) or volunteering (I'm still trying work this one into my schedule)... so I just kept praying.
***actually, three - but I have yet to "see" Brent!
I also continued my Sunday morning Starbucks routine****... and God answered my prayers in an amazing way!
****this could account for my lack of finding a church family - it's hard to find a church that doesn't meet on Sunday mornings!
Through my persistent pursuit of God over chai, I started meeting people during my Sunday mornings. At first it was happening without my noticing - sure, I saw that I was making friends, but I didn't realize the regularity with which it was happening! I was making at least one new friend a week before I realized that most of the significant friendships I've gained over the last few months have started in the Starbucks on Mass. Ave! What's more, once I realized what was happening, I decided to step up my frequency and things have been building exponentially.
It's to a point now where I can walk in and know at least three or four people at the tables and at least one of the baristas behind the counter by name. It's a community of people who know what's going on in my life and I know what's happening in theirs - and we make plans to see each other away from our common "home." No, we don't all have the same beliefs or views on life, but it's okay. We're community.
I don't remember exactly when my prayers changed from "Help me find a community" to "Thank you for the community you've put me in." God's blessed me with exactly what I needed*****... what I wanted... and all I had to do was continue to pursue Him.
*****One of the people I met in my new community is the pastor of a church that meets Sunday nights! Two birds with one stone, eh?!?Oh yeah, I still don't drink coffee!
Very nice my friend....this is why I love the Mass Ave Buckeys. Common misunderstanding is that community is in the burbs...downtown is where it's at though. Glad God brought you into a community here. I had a similar journey not knowing anyone when I first moved up.
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