Angel Networks aka Community

I attend an early morning weekly bible study at the church down the street.  By early I mean 6:05AM (come to think of it, I’ve never asked why 6:05 and not 6:00!)  I was invited to give it a try almost a year ago and have been rousing myself at that hour ever since.  As this is a Presbyterian church, I jokingly call myself their token Episcopalian!  They haven’t kicked me out yet!

The number of women on any given Thursday can vary from three or four up to a busy day of nine or ten.  It’s a fluid group, not everyone can attend each week, some appear once or twice; unable to make the commitment at this point in their lives and then there is a core of about six to eight ladies who rarely miss a week.  I never thought of these women as my community, but I have come to understand our weekly meetings are more than an educational bible study session.

Last week, the mother of one our regular attendees had a stroke.  We were given email updates on her condition, as the woman from our bible study group traveled to be by her mom’s side.  Soon, a food request came over the Internet, asking if any of us could take a dinner to our friend’s family.  Within a few hours, a meal was offered from every single person in our Thursday morning group.  As I read the exchange of messages, I was struck by the instant generosity, concern, and care these women showed for our friend and her family.  This little group of women, who stumble into the church library before the sun shows its face, hungry to learn more about the life of Jesus, have formed a community – of which I am a part.  And I am extremely grateful.

But, any of you who have read more than one of my posts, know my ponderings didn’t stop there!  I’ve been thinking about the many different communities that bless my life.   They are all around me, from my church, organized groups, friends of many years as well as those who are more recent.  Whether it is lunch with colleagues from my working days, dinner with a friend I see several times a week, or an email conversation with my college roommate whom I haven’t seen in almost thirty years, they all represent some form of community.

  Large or small, frequent or infrequent, they all have one thing in common:

“And when two or three of you are together because of me, you can be sure that I'll be there."  Matthew 18:20    The Message

I believe these various communities with which we are blessed are our “Angel Networks”.  God plants us in one another’s lives and then promises to be there in the midst.   It sure is a good reminder for me that we are not meant to make this journey solo!

Reflect on the communities in your life.  I bet the list is longer than you think!