Monday, January 19, 2009

community

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22)
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This past week has been tough, long and stressful to say the least. I'll write more about it as the week goes on but for now I want to share this bit.

I was E to the X hausted Saturday night due to some extra work at a conference and got the chance to run out and have dinner with friends, between sessions. I literally felt like a zombie walking up the stairs to Jenni and Brian's new place. Didn't think I had the muscles in my face left to muster a smile (it's more work than frowning- haven't you heard?). In truth, I could have cried as easily as laughed.

As I entered the house I literally was transformed by the love in the room, the comfort of being surrounded by people you could be real with, I spent the next 30 minutes decompressing and warming up.

Then, the games began. As they must. If Jay and I are in a room together (not at work) for too long.
I don't know if this clip will make sense to the masses, but I want to save/savor it so am posting it here.


As I left to go back to work I realized a couple of things...
first, I was energized by being around people who I love and who know and love me. It would have been my instinct to not go to dinner, to curl up in a ball somewhere with chips/salsa and Si Senor bean dip but the charge I got from hanging out with them was tangible. I returned to work with a renewed focus and enthusiasm.

And second. I think I love special events because "I can be nice to anyone for a couple of days." One of the arrows the enemy uses with me is that "if you know me long enough I will disappoint you." The truth in there, and there is some, has prevented me from diving in to relationships, from being real, from gutting through the good, the bad and the ugly with people God places in my life in the past. But I realized, as I went back to the conference, to do what was easy relationally, that the success I feel when something like that is pulled off doesn't touch the warmth of true community, of love and laughter with people you really, and I do mean really know.

2 comments:

Jenni Clayville said...

I know exactly what you mean. So often, I wonder if anyone really knows me at all... but then WE ALL get together, and I'm reminded - there are a few... and I'm thankful :)

I'm so glad you and Mike came over.

April said...

I'm so glad you included the video of Jay. I watched it at least three times and laughed through tears. (I'll explain that later...) I'm glad I know you. I'm hope that we will continue to get to know one another on a deeper level. I hope that you get the opportunity to let me down so that I can love you in spite of it...and visa vsersa. To me, that's what real friendship is all about...well that and posting funny videos of one another...and game nights...and inside jokes...and, and, and