This past week I showed up at a local coffee shop and was joined by a few new friends from the Sellwood area. We drank coffee and tea, ate some pastries, and talked. Our conversation was wide ranging, covering everything from church politics to the finer points of certain actors. We talked about our New Year’s resolutions and decided to gently encourage each other in trying to live as our best selves in 2014. It was a simple time, but at the same time a great blessing to me. This for me is the heart of what I’m called to do. This coffee time was about creating a space to connect. Part of this is talking about the things that are on our hearts from the sublime to the silly and everything in-between. It also includes a piece of accountability. My goal for the year is to be more positive and I know every time I’m tempted to complain about someone or to start dwelling in the negative that next month I’m going to be asked how things are going. I know that no matter what I say it will be ok, because these new friends are awesome and loving, but knowing that someone else is interested in how I’m progressing in my goal makes me want to do better.
One of the great bonuses to this new gathering is that we’re meeting at a local business started by 4 twentysomethings trying to make a go of their dreams. We’re connecting with them and encouraging their attempt to live out their passions. A partnerships is developing with these community members and I’m excited to see how things develop over the course of the next months.
Sometimes it feels like the steps we are taking are so small and the progress we are making is so fragile and ephemeral as we build towards our vision of a faith community. I think that line of thought might be breaking my resolution and I know that these small things really do make all the difference. I’m looking forward to next month as I get to have some intentional time with some really awesome people as we strive to share our journeys and loads with one another.
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