21st Century Community
When I moved to Charlotte, it was probably the most lonely time of my life. I was pregnant with my third child, in a new city with no church and no close friends. When Madi was born, I quickly realized just how badly I missed my small group back in Davenport, Iowa. There were no hospital visits from friends, no meals from my group and no play dates for Zach and Mariah from friends who wanted to help.
With email and internet, community has taken on a new meaning. Some of the ministries I listen to on the radio talk about their “online community” and bloggers everywhere have friends all around the world. Technology has done some amazing things for us when it comes to friendships.
But what happens when you need a friend to hold you? To come and lay hands on you and pray for you? To bring you a meal for dinner because you are sick? It is at times like these that we need the kind of community that comes from neighbors and those who live nearby.
Last week, a dear friend called me on Tuesday and said, “Lynn, can you come over?”. She didn’t need to say any more. I was there within 20 minutes. Later on that day, supper was there for her too.
Proverbs 27:10 encourages us, “Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; for better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” NKJV
Far away friends are great; I am so thankful for each and every one that I have. But in the middle of our fast paced, email raced society, let’s not neglect our relationships that are right outside our front door. A friend when in need is a friend indeed!
Lynn your so on about this. I have said many times I have come to rely on email or a text message instead of picking up the phone (like we used to have to) and making that more personal call to family or friends. There is nothing like true friends that can be right there when you need them.
Have a great day! Terri
Lynn, this is so true, and one of the reasons I've pulled back from my computer time. I was spending more time connecting with "Internet" friends, than with the flesh and blood friends in my life right here.
Tomorrow I'm sitting with a friend while her husband has surgery. Thursday I'm going to have coffee with a friend I haven't spent time with in a year! Friday my sister and I are going out for breakfast to catch up on what is going on in our families.
There are many references to "one another" in the Bible. God knows we need others in our life – we help them on this journey and they help us and TOGETHER we follow the Lord.
I'm still glad I'm one of your "far away friends".
Love & prayers,
Joy