a shared table is a shared life...my longing for community

I saw a picture of a sign recently that said: A SHARED TABLE IS A SHARED LIFE.  I want to make a sign to hang in our dining room that says this. 

Community is something I long for. I need it and I want it. I do not want to be guilty of living life on the surface, being fake, or guilty of being satisfied with the status quo. I don't want to be too busy to become involved.  
   
The problem, I am guilty of being satisfied with the status quo - the existing state of affairs, remaining in the same place, not changing. Sharing lives, living in community takes effort, it takes intentionality, the act of being deliberate or purposeful.  It takes being still, slowing down, being transparent, authentic.  The thing is, I'm not a risk taker.  I like security, stability, and a plan.  My impatient, passive aggressive, and need to be in control can get in the way of going deep into the lives of others.  Honestly, the world and the culture we live in leaves no room for slowing down.  While I know that my personality is unique to me, I know there are other "type A personality" types in the world that can relate to me when I say that I tend to get irritated or impatient at the slightest of changes in my plans. Getting involved takes time and can get messy, but we are not meant to live this life alone. 
    
The thing is, we are made for community. We are made to live life in the context of community. While I find these statements to be true, this doesn't happen naturally.  It doesn't happen without me allowing others  giving others permission into my life.  Community doesn't happen until I'm willing to lay down my appearances, my pride, my need to be in control, to allow others to speak into my life.  Community doesn't happen unless I'm willing to share my life.  Community doesn't happen if I'm too concerned about perfection.  
   
Community, I need it and I want it.  Now, with an impending move back to Macon and the new job title of wife to Joey and stay at home mama to L, I will embark on a mission to find it.  Lord, HELP!  I want to share my table and my life.   


One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgement. ~Proverbs 18:1

  

one thousand gifts

A book that I soon plan to read is "One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are" by Ann Voskamp.  In this book, Ann poses a challenge, one that I am going to take on myself.....making a list of one thousand gifts. It's a dare, really, to live FULLY  — right where they are.  Ann says, " I scratch it down; Gift List.  I begin the list.  Not of gifts I want but of gifts I already have."  'How,' Ann wondered, 'do we find joy in the midst of deadlines, debt, drama, and daily duties? What does a life of gratitude look like when your days are gritty, long, and sometimes dark? What is God providing here and now?'  


"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." -Psalm 50:23  

So, here's to 1,000 gifts. I actually started my list via twitter back in May but at the time had not started this blog. My firsts two gifts are from a tweet on May 20th.


1. sleepy, snuggly baby with a full belly on my chest
2. yawns that fill up her whole face, coos, grunts...favorites
3. discussions around the table about cell church, good, authentic times 
4. praying out loud for and with a sweet, dear friend 
5. sights and sounds of a summer eve, lightning bugs, tree frogs
6. the way she smiles at her daddy

a new chapter has begun...

Well, after much waiting, praying, waiting, waiting, patience much impatience on my part, waiting, and praying my job title has changed. No longer am I administrative specialist IV at Kennesaw State University but now my job title is wife to Joey and stay at home mama to Lydia. I am thankful. Honestly, being a wife & mom is the only think I can ever remember wanting to be growing up. And, here I am. I'm thankful for a husband that agrees with me that this is the Lord's design. Sometimes I feel guilty about my deep desire to be in the home, but with the support, diligence and encouragement of my husband, here we are. My last day at KSU was Wednesday, July 13, 2011. Monday, July 18, 2011 Joey begins a new job in the IT department of Middle Georgia College. There are many things I don't know...but here is what I do know: I know that from the minute I laid eyes on Lydia Ashby Faulk, the precious child God gave me, I knew I was doing what I was born to do...that I was doing what He created me to do...so I am saying goodbye to working outside of the home....and saying hello to a new place of work. Lord, help me to make our home a place of peace.

here we go...

Well, something that I've thought about doing for some time is finally happening. Yes, I am starting a blog. I am not starting a blog because I think I have a lot to say or because I have a wealth of wisdom to share. I certainly do not have it all figured out or have it all together, most days it's the exact opposite. I have my good days and bad days, days where I'm driven by my emotions instead of Truth. This is a blog to share my thoughts, frustrations, ups, downs, and life. So, if you're up for it, join me and my little family of three on the journey along the narrow road. Here we go....But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:14 http://bible.us/Matt7.14.NASB