The Importance of Community

Have you ever felt alone? Have you felt like you have no one to turn to in the midst of struggles or a tough situation? As believers, we are gifted with the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us. His Spirit is with us, our ever-present help in time of trouble. And thankfully, many of us can give testimony to how God has used his body, the church, as His hands and feet to minister to us in practical ways.

Our homeschool community should function in much the same way. Have you been the recipient of the blessings of a homeschool ‘ohana? Are you still looking for your “people” or are you in the giving phase? Hopefully, we can experience both the giving and receiving end in our journey because each is a valid part of a loving homeschool community and we need each to grow.

Emergencies happen. We have days when our homeschool load seems too much to bear. Whether through tough medical situations, job loss, or the everyday pressures of life, sometimes we find ourselves in need of a shoulder to cry on or extra hands to care for our family. Or, we may be the ones extending extra love or time or meals. Let me say thank you to those of you who are giving right now. Some of you have the gift of hospitality, and others don’t feel like they do; but either way, don’t let that stop you from letting the Holy Spirit prompt you to care for one another.

Some of you might be reading this and feeling discouraged. Maybe you have extended yourself over and over again. Maybe you have been the giver, the friend, the confidante, but at the end of the day, you still feel like you’re on your own.

I’ve felt that way, so let me encourage you.

My dad is a local pastor of a small church. Growing up, my family has had years of pouring out into the lives of others. As a PK, I’ve seen the giving that takes place behind the scenes, the forgiveness extended, the practical ways one believer can help another. My church ‘ohana is a small one, and I went to a small school leaving my social life to a tight inner circle of just a few. Even as an adult, I used to marvel at friends who would run into people they knew wherever they went. But I was okay with it. The Lord uses us all in different ways, and I knew I needed to be faithful to pour into those the Lord placed in my little circle of influence. God had given me enough, and I was thankful for the ones close to me.

Fast forward to the beginning of this year. In January, my mom was diagnosed with stage four cancer. To say my mom is my hero is an understatement. Everyone loves my mom. It’s a common occurrence for friends to want to be “adopted” by her. She has poured into life after life through sewing lessons, tea parties, and one on one prayer and discipleship.

This year, my “small” community showed up in droves. My family has been enveloped in love, support, and tears when needed. My parents have been cared for, grace has been extended to me in my responsibilities, and most importantly, the fervent prayers of the saints showered my mom. We felt the full weight of decades of giving come full circle, back to bless my loved ones and myself. Helping a friend is rarely convenient. But for me, after being at both ends of the equation, Matthew 25:40 (“…whatever you did for the least of these…”) has new meaning.

Friends, our homeschooling journey is not meant to be a solo endeavor. Similar to the Christian walk, we need support, we need encouragement, we need community. As we head into Thanksgiving week, “…let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…” (Heb 10:24), remembering that Proverbs 18:24 continues to hold true. “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Blessings,

Melissa