community

 

think about yours.

have this discussion with your co-workers and family.

how would your kids describe your culture? your roommates? your spouse?

if we are only takers, we tend not to notice much about our culture.

it's only when we want to make a difference, want to give back, that we begin to notice the culture in which we live.

 3 ways to know your community...

try something new in your city at least once a month. dine at a new restaurant. see a new sight. perform an act of kindness to a neighbor or new friend.

establish a tradition that draws people to you. cocoa and cookie night in december. sweet {ice cream} social in the summer. cookout or neighborhood playdate. back to school breakfast for the kids in your apartment complex or on your street. homemade valentines on front doors of your neighbors.

make every effort to attend city-wide events that attach yourself to your community. this builds credibility. it makes you more local. they are always learning experiences.

unsure how a local family event would be, we were happy to discover delectable homemade popsicles of watermelon and strawberry.

get out there! discover.

your community has been your community since birth or for longer than you can count?

spice it up a bit by inviting new folks to your favorite places.

see your community through the eyes of an outsider and make sure your town has open arms to those who are new.

i'm a huge fan of children's books. natalia colombo wrote a stunning book on community called "so close." whether it was her intent or not, it's a powerful picture of what we have before us and how easy it can be to build community.

you and i can leave it up to non-profits, local government officials, and empowered citizens to build community.

or we can be the church, Christ's people, scattered throughout our cities, our communities, loving and serving with no ulterior motive but to love like Christ loves. and that's unconditionally.