It’s a scary thing to drive an hour alone and knock on a complete stranger’s door. Because who knows what you’ll find, when you meet on the other side of a computer screen? Maybe there’ll be cat hair on the couch and toilets with rings all the way around? Or maybe an attitude of pretense, superficiality, or facades.
Maybe they’ll be scary?!
Perhaps they won’t say the right thing, or look the right way, or be relatable at all? And maybe the idea of stepping out to experience community will be a really bad plan.
In-real-life interaction can be risky. And most us know. Because over the years we’ve been hurt by community at one time or another.
But we crave relationship, and long for friendship.
And at the core of ourselves, we long to be seen and known for who we really are. [Tweet that]
This past Saturday evening, seven brave women trickled in to my home, one by one, ready and willing to risk community with me. They came ready to step into vulnerability and try again.
To try Community.
With Strangers.
In Real Life.
As we listened to the stories of women on the (in)courage screen, and shared some stories of our own, we found we had so much more in common than we ever would have realized. Between us we’d endured divorce, encountered the brokenness of church leadership, grieved the loss of our babies, and succumbed to that Jr. High lunchroom comparison trap.
We ate and laughed and chatted into the night.
And left with hearts fuller than when we came . . . so thankful to have taken the risk after all.
I loved hosting (in)RL last year, and the year before that! And this year’s (in)RL conference did not disappoint.
It was full of joy, and I’m always blessed by the beauty of women just showing up as they are.
Women who beautifully love God and one another well,
Women who renew our belief in the truth that community can be possible in the most glorious ways!
What is your favorite memory of community?
How did it help you heal?
Many thanks to Dayspring and (in)courage, for their tireless championing of community, and for creating a space for us to meet in real life and connect through our stories.
You are a gift!
And feel free to visit the link-up, to read about other (in)RL gatherings
all over the world by clicking HERE
I love how God brings us together in community. I attended a small gathering, not a long one, but some beautiful friendships were made and I am thankful. Already looking forward to next year!
Love it. Beautifully written. I love seeing small(ish) groups gathering together & forming new bonds from shared stories.
One of the best parts of the evening? It was your h-u-g-e hug at the door when I first arrived! I knew the rest of the night would all be good because you made me feel so welcome Jacque. Thank you!! You make sharing in community ‘not so scary’ 😉
Your home is gorgeous friend, and I totally want to photoshop myself right there between you & Denise 🙂
You said this so beautifully, Jacque- this desire to be known for who we really are! Thank you for opening your heart and your home to others! Love your pictures!!!
Yes! Giving thanks with you Barbie!
New bonds from shared stories…yes!
Awww, Caryn…thank you. I LOVED that you came, so very much…xo! #wearenotscary
Oh how I wish you had been there. I would have loved that. So much. xoxo
Thank you so much Becky…and isn’t it true? And yet we are known already by THE ONE who matters. Giving so much thanks for that!
Well. Now I’m wishing I lived closer to you! Loved hearing your re-cap, Jacque!