Community: Part 1

Last Friday, I flew up to Boston with my mom to surprise my pregnant sister, Yun Mi for the weekend. We had been planning this trip since October with one of her close friends, Jenn and my BIL, James. Yun Mi and James moved up to Boston about two years ago and even though we were all excited for this new chapter of their lives, I was devastated. That same year, Jimmy flew my sister down to Atlanta and totally surprised me for my birthday. I did the whole ugly cry and everything. My face went from total shock, ugly cry and then complete joy. She captured it all on video and we still laugh about it till this day. So, fast forward to last Friday and we did the same exact thing to her except I brought my mom up with me and it was just epic. I have been asked a gazillion times by people to post up the video of our surprise, but this was just one of those private moments. #dontgetmad BUT…. I will share this amazing freeze frame from the video because I know all you people really just wanted to see was the ugly cry. #yiwomencryugly #realugly

So much emotion in this picture! I love it so much. We all cried (except James) along with Jenn who videoed the whole thing. #uglycryfest

It was perfect because Yun Mi’s Boston shower and birthday were all on the same weekend! It was the first time I left my 3 kids and I could not have done it without my sweet husband and our amazing community of friends.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:16

 As I was on this trip, it really got me thinking about the importance of community. We are truly blessed because some of our closest friends live in our culdesac as well as just a few miles from us. When I returned, Jimmy said people gave him too much credit because our community made it a lot easier. #maybeishouldtravelmoreoften  

 

After I left on Friday, Jimmy took the kids to dinner at friend #1’s house.  Most of Saturday was spent at friend #2’s place. When I flew back on Monday, we all ate dinner at friend #3’s house because she didn’t want us to worry about what to eat that evening after I flew back. Typing this out just makes my heart so full because there is something so uniquely powerful about community. 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

Why is it so important to cultivate this aspect of community? First of all, God intended for us to live in community and be inter-dependent on one another. Personally, it has taken me some time to get to a point where I can ask others for help. Pride and the desire to be self-sufficient inhibit me from humbling myself and leaning on others. I just don’t want to be a burden. But I’m slowly learning that even if it’s a burden, I need to ask anyways. It’s a healthy exercise for us to open up our vulnerabilities and ask for help when necessary. It also gives others the opportunity to exercise their gifts, resources, time and energy. 

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12

We weren’t designed to be individuals living in isolation. Rather, as believers in Christ we are to reflect His image by being in community because he first demonstrated it to us. When we engage in true community, I think it gives us a snippet of what heaven will be like one day. We are all parts of the body of Christ and we each have unique gifts, talents, resources and functions. Just as our body has different parts and components, we as individuals play a part that make up a spiritual body. Each and every part is important and necessary. YOU are important. YOU are a part of that body. 

If you want community, think about ways in which you can serve someone near you.  I’ve learned it takes time to invest and cultivate a community. You have to want it, seek it and sometimes ask for it. It takes vulnerability, humility and love but man it’s so worth it! It means allowing others to see your mess and vice-versa. My community of friends know I’m far from perfect, but I’m thankful that they still love, encourage and walk alongside me and my family. 

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  James 5:16

 Tomorrow, I’ll share Part 2… the amazing community I experienced up in Boston.

Here’s Part 2!

<>< yuni

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47