community :: (in)RL

What is community? What does community mean to you? And what does community mean to me?

The women at (in)courage have asked us (in)couragers these questions and asked if we’d share our thoughts with our readers.

I struggled a little bit in putting my thoughts together for this post. So much so, I wasn’t going to post at all.

You see, I’ve been feeling a bit of loss in the friendship department lately, and that’s where my struggle came in. In my mind, community equals friendship, and if I don’t have friendship, I don’t have community, and therefore I’m unqualified to write about community.

See how quickly and easily the enemy can work? What a downward spiral of emotion!

But I wanted to dig deeper than that … and in the process, prove the enemy wrong.

To help me out, I did what any writer would do — consulted with the dictionary.

And I’m told a few things … community is:

  1. a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common.
  2. the people … considered collectively, esp. in the context of social values and responsibilities.
  3. a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

A feeling of fellowship. That resonates with me. I’ve come to believe in something I’ll call a “heart connection.” I picture God standing between two people. Coming out of these two people are large, cartoon-like cords with large outlet prongs on each end. I picture God holding the large electrical prong — one in each hand. I believe when a friendship has His blessing, He’ll allow these prongs to connect and will plug them together. But when He feels a friendship isn’t right for us, He stands in the middle of it not allowing that heart connection to happen.

What does that look like on our end? In community, we have heart connections. We know in our spirit — hearts have been connected. I’ve had relationships where I really like someone, enjoy spending time with them, yet didn’t feel a “connection,” and could never put my finger on why. It was then, I believe, God gave me the image I mentioned above.

My new definition of community? It’s what I call a Heart Connection.

Are heart connections reserved for in-real-life relationships only? Or can they happen online?

Heart connections — community — can happen right in your neighborhood or through the screen of your computer. Ooorrrr … if you’ve been blessed like I have, a screen connection becomes a heart connection, only to find out your friend lives in your neighborhood!

{Angela & I on vacation in Exuma, Bahamas}

Angela and I met through Instagram and I love this girl with all my heart! And she lives right in my neck of the woods!! Oh the joy!

We’ve been (in)RL friends for just five months! Crazy when I think of it, because it’s a heart connection that feels like we’ve known each other since birth. In our short friendship, we’ve already been through a few ups and downs that life threw our way and we’ve been there for each other. Our hearts hurt for the other.

I received some devastating news back in January and called Angela to let her know. She had a busy day, but dropped everything, brought me lunch, and we cried together.

Have you ever gone through something, big or small, and someone says to you, “Call me if you need anything.” How many of you actually call that person and let them know what you need?

Often times, we don’t even know what we need. But community? Community comes anyway. Community brings lunch. Community cries with you. With community — a heart connection — you figure out what you need together.

Angela girl … God blessed me good with you!

{Cyndi & I during one of her many visits to NC}

And then there’s this one! Cyndi. I met Cyndi online too. Back in the days when I was blogging for the store I owned, Cyndi followed and left comments.

And when I sold the store, she hopped over to my personal blog and our friendship began to grow. I started following her blog, we met up on Twitter and Facebook and finally brought our online friendship — and heart connection — to a real life relationship.

Cyndi lived in Louisiana when we first “met.” She’s since moved to Cleveland, and last fall moved to Mississippi. I’ve been in Wisconsin and now North Carolina, and our friendship continues to only get stronger.

Community lets me Vox, vent, share, encourage, and cry.

Cyndi – you are a treasure and I don’t know what I’d do without you in my “community.” I love you!!

{Dawn & I in front of the Billy Graham Library}

I’m not certain how long ago it was that I met Dawn … but what I know for sure is, ours is a kindred community. We were online friends. Her in Florida. Me … not in Florida. And yet prayers, whispers, tears, and encouragement we share.

I’ve had the awesome pleasure of meeting Dawn in person. Sometimes one worries it will be awkward, or not the same somehow that this kindred spirit we “know” through a screen will be the same when faced with each other.

But no. Not with Dawn. She’s as real in life as she is behind the screen.

Dawn – I’m so thankful we were able to meet for real and I pray we have many more “for real” encounters. You are a blessing to me and I love you!

{Wendy & I at the Ol’ Miss homecoming game}

And then there are those friends who just “happen.” And so it was with Wendy. This friend lives just down the street from me and is an “in real life” friend.

I prayed a literal prayer one morning, “Lord, please send godly women into my life.” No sooner had I said amen, and I received a call from this sweet woman! She’s the real deal and I love her inside and out!

Wendy – you’re a treasure to behold and I’m thankful to call you friend!

{Tracie & I playing Thelma and Louise in the convertible}

I have many friends. Community. Heart connections. Some have come. Some have gone. Some are sticking around. And some came back.

In many ways, I feel like Tracie falls in the “came back” category.

I consider Tracie the second BFF I’ve ever had. We met in our early twenties. Before children. Before our current husbands {I was married to my first at the time}. And really, before “life” happened.

We worked in the same building, but different floors. For one reason or another, she was often visiting the area where I worked. One day out of the blue, she walked past me, quickly flung the back of my skirt up, declared it “dress up day,” laughed hysterically, and we’ve been fast friends ever since!

We’ve seen each other through good times and difficult times, we even separated for a bit. But when the going got tough … “community” came calling.

Tracie was there when I brought my first babygirl home from the hospital almost 18 years ago. And sweetly, she was here this past weekend to see that same babygirl dress for prom and drive away in a limousine.

Tra, Fendi – We could write a book. Seriously. I have so many special memories of the community we’ve formed together. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being real.

#####

And noowwww {insert drumroll here} … the reason for my post! If anything I’ve said resonates with you here and you feel the need to strengthen your own communit, to sit and talk with women who are willing to be transparent and available, I’d like to encourage you to sign up for (in)courage’s (in)RL event. There are meetups literally, all over the world … whether you’re in Ireland, North Carolina, or anywhere in between, I know there’ll be women ready to welcome you with open arms. I’ve included links below on how to register and find a meetup in your area.

{if you’re reading via an RSS feed, please click here to view video}

Links with more information:

What does community mean to you?

302 Comments

  1. Car Auctions UK November 27, 2018 at 5:50 am

    Wow, awesome blog structure! How long have you been running a blog for? you made blogging glance easy. The total look of your site is fantastic, let alone the content material!

    Reply
  2. streaming film November 27, 2018 at 7:14 am

    Hello there. I found your web site by way of Google while searching for a similar matter, your website came up. It looks good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  3. gestunco November 27, 2018 at 7:53 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually irritating. A good site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this web-site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  4. yaho togel November 27, 2018 at 8:15 am

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  5. fiforlif November 27, 2018 at 9:11 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  6. pewangi laundry November 27, 2018 at 9:45 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really irritating. A good website with interesting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  7. teknoterupdate.com November 27, 2018 at 9:50 am

    Awesome write-up. I’m a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  8. hobiwisata.com November 27, 2018 at 9:59 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really annoying. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  9. homosexual November 27, 2018 at 10:44 am

    Hi, i believe that i noticed you visited my web site so i got here to go back the prefer?.I’m attempting to to find issues to improve my website!I suppose its ok to make use of a few of your ideas!!

    Reply
  10. Plasa Batam November 27, 2018 at 10:50 am

    Hey there. I discovered your blog by way of Google while searching for a related matter, your site got here up. It seems great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  11. gilabola99.co November 27, 2018 at 11:04 am

    Hi there. I discovered your site by way of Google at the same time as searching for a similar topic, your website came up. It looks great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  12. yahotogel.com November 27, 2018 at 11:21 am

    Hello there. I found your web site by the use of Google at the same time as searching for a related topic, your web site came up. It seems to be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  13. taruhan bola online November 27, 2018 at 11:56 am

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  14. Youtube Downloader For Android November 27, 2018 at 12:43 pm

    Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  15. Bengkel Las jakarta selatan November 27, 2018 at 1:15 pm

    Hey there. I found your blog by means of Google while looking for a similar topic, your web site came up. It appears to be good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  16. lebahratu.com November 27, 2018 at 1:20 pm

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your website and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  17. Harga Rumput Sintetis November 27, 2018 at 2:15 pm

    Awesome post. I’m a regular visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  18. Bisnis Online November 27, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    Hi there. I found your website via Google whilst looking for a related subject, your web site came up. It looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  19. jual obat keputihan herbal November 27, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    Hello there. I discovered your website by means of Google at the same time as searching for a related topic, your site got here up. It appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  20. keluaran togel sgp November 27, 2018 at 9:52 pm

    Awesome post. I am a normal visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  21. parade ogoh ogoh November 27, 2018 at 10:32 pm

    Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is actually irritating. A good site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  22. HP Oppo November 27, 2018 at 11:12 pm

    Hi there. I found your blog via Google even as looking for a comparable matter, your web site got here up. It appears to be great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  23. apartemen harian November 28, 2018 at 12:44 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really frustrating. A good site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  24. Raka Channel November 28, 2018 at 2:50 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this info. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really annoying. A good site with interesting content, this is what I need. Thanks for making this site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  25. sewa bus pariwisata banjarmasin November 28, 2018 at 3:30 am

    Awesome write-up. I am a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  26. sewa bus banjarmasin November 28, 2018 at 3:42 am

    Hi there. I found your website via Google while searching for a comparable subject, your website got here up. It seems great. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  27. situs dominoqq November 28, 2018 at 5:30 am

    Awesome write-up. I’m a regular visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a frequent visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  28. Harga Android November 28, 2018 at 6:12 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  29. Poker online November 28, 2018 at 7:34 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I have found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and web stuff and this is actually annoying. A good blog with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  30. agen judi casino terpercaya November 28, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Hello there. I discovered your web site by means of Google at the same time as looking for a related topic, your site got here up. It appears good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  31. DOMINOQQ November 28, 2018 at 8:41 am

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a regular visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  32. casino online terpercaya November 28, 2018 at 8:42 am

    Hey there. I found your blog by means of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable subject, your website got here up. It appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  33. kalkulator kpr November 28, 2018 at 1:42 pm

    Hello there. I discovered your site by the use of Google while searching for a related matter, your website came up. It appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to visit then.

    Reply
  34. Kredit Pemilikan rumah November 28, 2018 at 2:16 pm

    Awesome write-up. I’m a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  35. www.onlinecollegesbest.com November 28, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really annoying. A good site with interesting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  36. judi slot online November 28, 2018 at 3:20 pm

    Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and internet stuff and this is actually irritating. A good site with exciting content, that’s what I need. Thanks for making this website, and I’ll be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  37. PandaSekai November 28, 2018 at 10:45 pm

    Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and web stuff and this is really irritating. A good web site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thanks for making this web site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  38. pokervqiuqiu November 28, 2018 at 11:09 pm

    Hiya, I am really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is really frustrating. A good site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  39. SakuQQ November 29, 2018 at 12:15 am

    Hiya, I am really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish only about gossip and net stuff and this is actually frustrating. A good web site with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  40. SultanJudi November 29, 2018 at 3:11 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I have found this info. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and internet stuff and this is really irritating. A good web site with interesting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this site, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  41. homosexual November 29, 2018 at 3:32 am

    Good day! I just wish to give you a big thumbs up for the great info you have got here on this post. I will be coming back to your web site for more soon.

    Reply
  42. Poker Online November 29, 2018 at 3:47 am

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I will be a frequent visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  43. Agen Poker Online November 29, 2018 at 3:51 am

    Hey there. I found your blog by way of Google at the same time as looking for a comparable subject, your site came up. It seems good. I have bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  44. Paus4D November 29, 2018 at 4:44 am

    Awesome post. I’m a normal visitor of your blog and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the excellent site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.

    Reply
  45. Isototo November 29, 2018 at 5:15 am

    Awesome post. I am a normal visitor of your site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I will be a regular visitor for a really long time.

    Reply
  46. homosexual November 29, 2018 at 6:08 am

    Hello there! I simply want to give you a huge thumbs up for the excellent information you have got right here on this post. I am coming back to your web site for more soon.

    Reply
  47. Bandar Togel Online November 29, 2018 at 6:23 am

    Hiya, I’m really glad I’ve found this information. Today bloggers publish just about gossip and net stuff and this is really annoying. A good web site with exciting content, that is what I need. Thank you for making this website, and I will be visiting again. Do you do newsletters by email?

    Reply
  48. HokIndoBet November 29, 2018 at 9:41 am

    Hi there. I discovered your site by means of Google while looking for a similar subject, your web site got here up. It appears great. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  49. Daftar Live22 November 29, 2018 at 10:15 am

    Hello there. I found your website by means of Google whilst searching for a related matter, your site came up. It appears good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks to come back then.

    Reply
  50. DominoQQ November 29, 2018 at 11:25 am

    Awesome post. I am a regular visitor of your web site and appreciate you taking the time to maintain the nice site. I’ll be a regular visitor for a long time.

    Reply

Leave A Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *