From time to time I like to take a departure from iFamily’s creative activities side, and shine a light on other things that contribute to a thriving family. One of those is the aspect of living in community with others.
Last week, the English one (who formerly wrote for this paper), packed up her three children, ages four and under, drove over 10 hours solo and showed up on my doorstep with coffee and ice cream in hand.
She braved that ambitious journey to come and walk life with me during a struggle with an injury. I didn’t ask her to come (I’m terrible at asking for help), but she came anyways. She came by daily to watch my kids while I headed to appointments, and to hang out and spill our hearts out while sitting on the green couches. She also provided meals for me and my family and binge watched Fixer Upper with me.
And she hasn’t been the only one to step in, to bear parts of my load and to bring steady encouragement. I’ve been surrounded by people who love and support our family and it’s utterly humbling.
Though the season has not been easy, it has allowed me to see the breadth of beauty in the relationships we are blessed with and have cultivated. It has made me even more of an advocate of pursuing relationship.
I have heard others tout that friendships shouldn’t be such hard work – to just walk away. But I don’t know of any relationship worth anything that hasn’t taken effort.
It is worth it to be intentional with others. It is worth it to step out of your insecurity and initiate with people. Find common interests, risk being vulnerable, call someone up for coffee, reciprocate when someone initiates with you, and believe the best about people.
It’s such a blessing to be in a position to make someone’s life better and richer by being in it. It’s a win-win when they do the same thing for you. Walking life in authentic community with others is a beautiful and worthwhile endeavour.
