After last month’s article about my obsessive-compulsive-wood-stacking-routine, my neighbor, Bill Brewer, told me he has a passel of cut wood on his property that is awaiting my direct attention. “Sorry Bill,” I said, “I’m still working on finding that perfect spot for each piece of my own firewood. So, you’re on your own buddy.”
But then I realized how nice it is to feel needed in these times of dire predictions and rampant uncertainty. A community becomes true community when the people who have something to GIVE help the people who have something they NEED. I’ve been witnessing this gentle phenomenon more and more in my own little corner of the world and it’s truly inspiring.
Most would agree that it’s not easy being on the receiving end of charity. Our culture has re-wired and desensitized us to the point of gross independence and pride. But I would venture to say that the givers among us could stand to loosen up just as much as the receivers. Neither of us is terribly confident in our circumstances anyway, so why not combine efforts and be strong together! My can-do attitude might say “I've got it covered” but my heart is healthier when I let others in to help carry the load.
Bringing charity to the home-front is no doubt awkward for some. We’ve been conditioned to assume that the real problems are far away on another shore and that somehow we are insulated from certain horrors because we can drive into a garage and shut out the world with the press of an automated button.
And sure, I’ve done my share of sticking a check in an envelope and mailing it off to a mission field far away; only to receive another form letter announcing further catastrophic news and begging for more funds. If I were in charge of these faithful servants abroad I would speak into their high tech, Jack-Bauer-esque ear-pieces and say “I’m bringing you in!” Just as if I was the Director of the CIA. I’d tell them, “you’re needed back at home-base; where the burdens are many, the workers are few and the nuts are a whole lot tougher to crack.”
But that’s just my over-active brain at work; trying to imagine ways to shore-up the hopelessness and loneliness I see on our own soil. I know. Knitting or yoga might be a better use of my time.
Even closer to home, when our local budget woes whisper of limited sporting events to gather around, and our churches are cutting staff and turning down the heat, it’s easy to lose touch with how a person might find support and a sense of community.
Might I suggest Bingo Night at the Powell Butte Community Center? The party is on over there every first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm and kids are welcome too. Or you might consider hosting your neighbors for a potluck and a game of cards. The local Checkers Coffee Shop has a warm sense of comfort brewing in their cozy dining room; complete with board games for your lounging pleasure. And last Sunday the pews at my church were overflowing! So now might be as good a time as any to blend in with the church crowd and drink from the well that never runs dry.
Community is out there my friends. But not in the ways you might be accustomed to or comfortable with. Go for it anyway, because if necessity is the mother of invention then perhaps we can avoid ever going back to the heart-numbing pursuit of wealth and status over genuine friendship and a community that is strong from the inside out.
Author’s note to Bill Brewer: Fire up that splitting maul Bill, the family and I are coming over!
No comments:
Post a Comment