_{We all enjoy and need to feel like we belong.}

Words to SPARK your Heart-Song from our co-founder Sherry Douglas.

Hi everyone. I’m Sherry Douglas with Heart-Song. As a kid, I remember playing kickball in the street with other neighborhood kids of all ages. Sometimes there was an age span from 5 years old to late teens. Sometimes even the parents sat outside to talk with one another, or dared to get in the game. I remember those evenings being fun. I now know that part of the fun included the feeling of community.

How we experience community is different from one another, but it is important for each of us to do so in our own way. For some it’s being part of a church or a group with the same basic belief system meeting together for enjoyment and learning. Others may experience community through organized sports with several families coming together to cheer on their kids’ teams. I know of neighborhoods that have built community, helping one another, having cookouts, and scheduling playdates for kids.

What is it about “community” that draws us? We all enjoy and need to feel like we belong – to a group of friends, family, team, church, or job. There are endless ways we can become involved with others to generate a sense of belonging, including the increased popularity of online groups. We can laugh together, support one another in stressful situations or life disappointments, or work on projects together. We can know that others have experienced some of the same kinds of challenges and celebrations that we have. Knowing others have suffered in the way we have suffered, lets us know we’re not alone. Having someone to bounce ideas off of gives us energy. Having someone to laugh with typically improves our moods. We need one another!

Ephesians 4:2 encourages us to, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” If we want to build community with others, and if we want others to make a priority of building community with us, then this verse gives us wisdom from which to live. Humility, gentleness, patience and love show those we’re interacting with that we respect them and that our relationship is deeply valued. How do you intentionally build community? Leave a comment below to let us know. Live the way you want to be remembered! See you next time.