Today I got back from a fantastic weekend with the boys; 17 of us in a house on the beach on the Oregon coast. The weather was amazing, and I laughed so hard all weekend long! For our beach party action shot, we all staged goofy poses, including a hair-pulling fight between Tim and myself. I think this picture is hilarious! (and is perfect for tonight's post. Thank you, photographer and organizer Andrew Shayde).
This weekend was filled with so much fun and good humor. But living in community and maintaining friendships is not always easy in real life. In any family, friend group, or community, at some time or other, fights, drama and misunderstandings are inevitable. Heck, that's also true across the nation and the planet. Part of our human nature is our proclivity to see the faults and frailties of others. This can definitely prevent us from connecting with each other in loving ways.
I feel it is a gift when a friend can recognize your faults and frailties, and love you as you are. Today I had an anxiety freak-out moment but I know my friends still love me. They know my weakness and it doesn't change their love. That is a blessing for which I am grateful. This weekend had multiple grace-filled moments in which the love in our friendships was evident to me.
Now I'm not going to claim that we were a bunch of saints this weekend, with not a single unkind word spoken. (I'm not sure that's even a realistic expectation with 17 people in one house). But I chose tonight's blog theme because this weekend reminded me of the power and importance of love which abides, "regardless" and "in spite of" and "because of" our common broken humanity.
It is helpful for me to get reminders of love that is stronger than our brokenness. It renews my desire to work for that love in my friendships, family, and community. What would our world look like if had an infusion of faith, hope, and love in our relationships?
God of grace, Thank you for those moments in our lives when we feel loved and accepted. Please be with those who struggle with feeling left out or unloved. Help them to know they are not alone, but are good enough just as they are. Fill our hearts with the confidence that you love us no matter what. Help us all to reach out to one another with grace and love. Thanks. and Amen.
