Random thoughts on the importance of Community

When I was a kid we’d hop in the car and take long drives in the country just because we could. People must have had more time back then. We’d drive for miles and see nothing but pastures and crops then a house would appear like a lone ship in the middle of an expansive ocean.

I’d wonder who lived in the house and why they chose to live so far from civilization. What did the homeowner do for a living? Did it require them to make frequent trips to town? Where was the nearest grocery store? Did they have kids? If so, where did they go to school? Would the bus drive that far to pick them up? Were there any playmates near them? What did they do about trick-or-treating? If someone had a heart attack, how long would it take them to get to the nearest hospital?

Questions flooded my mind – some morbid – that resulted in sadness over the thought of people living isolated lives.  Apparently, I wasn't the only one concerned. Look at this that I found online...

I  cared.

I bet my favorite person ever - Jesus - would have cared, too.  He was all about community. The very first public miracle He performed was at a festive wedding in the town of Cana that I bet He and His mother looked forward to attending for months. They celebrated amongst friends until the wine ran dry and Jesus’ mother requested that he do a “beer run”, if I may use today's modern parlance. He acquiesced and the partying continued.  I bet the conversation was rich and the laughter bountiful.

This icon hardly conveys a festive atmosphere. My caption would read, "Do we know these people?"

Our Lord lived in community by surrounding himself with the twelve disciples, all whose personalities were as different as snowflakes. If you want to read about this ragtag bunch of men, ThoughtCo’s guest author, Mary Fairchild, has done an excellent job of researching and describing each disciple that you can read about HERE.

Jesus worshiped in community by going to the temple each week, which serves as a model for all Christ followers. And Christians are reminded by the author of Hebrews (don’t know who that is…maybe Paul) to regularly meet with each other, in part, as a source of encouragement.  

“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
~ Hebrews 10:24-25

OK, so those are instructions for Christians, but I believe everyone can benefit from a community. We must plug into one if we’re to impact others as well as benefit from other people’s positive influence.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” ~ Proverbs 27:17

Are you part of a vibrant, supportive community? Do you have what I’ll call breast cancer battle buddies to help get you over the hurdles that a cancer diagnosis and fight have placed in front of you?

Thankfully, I can attest that I am part of several communities…you can call them tribes if you wish…from our local breast cancer support group all the way to the town in which I live.  Let me share just a few examples about how I feel supported by my town. They’re by no means first-person experiences but their impact is felt nonetheless.  

We recently started getting the local newspaper, The Decatur Daily. Imagine my surprise a couple of weeks ago when the paper that landed in our driveway was pink! You may not be able to tell from the picture, but each page is literally pigskin pink!

And there were several stories pertaining to breast cancer awareness. Thank you, The Decatur Daily, for making a difference!

Then there’s the car dealership down the road from me. The pink ribbons that Lynn Layton Chevrolet displays during the month of October on the front of its building are so large that I’m fairly certain they’re visible from space.

 (I man that Thank you, Lynn Layton, for showing us that you care!

When our breast cancer support group, The Rack Pack, planned its annual Bunco Bash and Silent Auction fundraiser earlier this summer, Stovall-Marks Insurance…a local insurance agency…said they’d cover the cost of everything. EV-ER-Y-THING! If you’re in need of insurance and live in Decatur, please consider giving them your business. I have a link to their website HERE.

I believe my southern, mid-sized community is amazing.

Some of us are cynical by nature and may be thinking, “Companies that display pink in October feign support as a marketing ploy to get people’s business.” In some cases, that may well be true but I’d prefer to assume the best and not judge anyone’s motives. Besides, their efforts…genuine or not…bring into people’s radar a disease that I wish didn’t exist.

But since I can’t wish the disease away and must deal with it, I’m thankful for supportive communities. And I realize we all have different needs at varying stages.

If you’ve recently been diagnosed, maybe you’re like I was just a short year ago and don’t want to be near anyone else with cancer because it serves as a harsh reminder of what you’re going through. I get that. When I finally went to my first breast cancer support group meeting it had been months since my diagnosis. There were two other women there that night that had been diagnosed that week! Our needs are different and that’s ok. Just know that when you’re ready, chances are there’s a support group full of amazing women that meets in your area…unless you live in the middle of nowhere.  Then thank the Lord (I mean that literally) for the internet and telephones.

Oh, and should you live miles and miles from your nearest neighbor let me know, because I have a few unanswered questions for you…
 
(If you’re in need of a support group, check out this link from BREASTCANCER.ORG)