Life is not meant to be lived alone.
I know, that sounds crazy coming from the secluded homebound chick. The one who spends months at a time seeing only her dog and her nurses each week. But when Jesus said “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I…” I think He meant that for me, too.
And I think He knew I would find it right where I am. Sitting at this computer, talking to all of you. I’m so grateful we gather together like we do.
We treasure community here at (in)courage. Let’s be real, without community, there would be no (in)courage. And now we’re finding ways to make this online community grow and stretch and find each other in living rooms and other real life settings.
I’m so excited for this because I’ve had this happen to me and here’s what I know… these online relationships are real. They are true. And they are authentic. The reason I can open my heart and tell you all my deepest thoughts once a month is because I know this to be my reality:
That online friendships, born out of a common thread of Jesus, are as true in real life as they are on the screen because they start with the heart.
I’m one of those lucky people who has got to meet online friends (in)RL. I’ve had two of my (in)courage sisters drive all the way to my home to sit on my couches and gab the afternoon away with me. I’ve had one of my closest friends, who I met through these blogs, bring her whole family to stay with me last Christmas so I wouldn’t be alone. Another online friend hopped a plane the day after she heard my dad had died and stayed with me through his funeral.
Do you know what was different about these friendships than my friends who live right here in town?
Not a thing.
Because all of my friends, online and next door, love with their hearts. Hearts that are connected because of the One who loves us. The One who calls us to gather together in His name.
So even though I can’t get out to host a gathering and meet up with all of you, I am *busting* with excitement that you might give it a try. Because our lives are meant to be lived in community. And I’m so grateful (in)courage is where He has chosen for me to live mine.
What do you all think? How has being online affected your idea of community?
By Sara Frankl, Gitzen Girl
ABOUT GITZ
Sara Frankl entered into the arms of Jesus on September 24, 2011, but her legacy of choosing joy lives on. Her blog, Gitzen Girl, is about her commitment to embracing the story God had for her. Her...
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