As a military spouse, saying “Good Bye” is the hardest. Parting ways with families that are ingrained in our daily lives feels like tearing pieces of my heart away. There is nothing like building a flourishing community that pours God’s light and love in abundance all while knowing that, one day, it will have to come to an end. We know that they day we will lose “the tribe” is coming. The joy of making memories, the support received, and the hope given is matched only by the sadness to see our beloved friends go.
Our community met together weekly. We shared meals, prayers, struggles, and joy. We attended worship together and served at our local church. We would “do life” together centered around the truth of Scripture. We were committed to serve each other. We kept each other's children for much needed date nights, we brought meals when one of us was sick, and we showed love when one of us was lonely.
We are God's grace and love for one another.
This week is full of good byes and the next few months will bring us to say farewell to four beautiful families. As our family braces for the impact of losing those closest to us, I can’t help but to turn to God, my Father, for His encouragement.
Here is encouragement for today: God is sovereign and has a formula for building a solid community.
God is sovereign.
Psalm 90:2 NIV
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
The Message translation is one of my favorites.
Psalm 90:2 The Message
"God, it seems you’ve been our home forever; long before the mountains were born, Long before you brought earth itself to birth, from “once upon a time” to “kingdom come”—you are God."
God knows and understands our lifestyle. He is aware of our joy, as well as our pain. He uses every move/PCS, every relocation, and every situation to shape us. Let us trust in the good and perfect will of God in every circumstance, praying that His will would be accomplished in us.
God gives us a formula for a fulfilling community that we can build wherever we go.
Acts 2:42-47- NIV
"And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Here is the translation in The Message.
“That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.
Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met.
They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved.”
In these passages, God is showing us that by being dedicated to the teaching in Scripture, breaking bread, and to prayer, we can begin to build a healthy group of believers. Plugging in to a local church and opening your home to share a meal can start something beautiful!
Be encouraged, friends. There is grace for today.