It happened again. I had spent the afternoon on the computer, working on some projects. Then I did a quick scroll through Facebook to catch the latest news.

What I saw were beautiful photos of a double rainbow over our town. And I had missed it.

Sort of reminds me of a recent car commercial on television. Maybe you remember it:

Unlike the girl in the commercial, I don’t spend all day on Facebook or other social media. But I do spend most of my days in front of a computer. I’m usually preparing Bible study lessons or writing. (And yes, participating in social media, too!  😉 ) So I’m thankful for friends who remind me to participate in real life. For those, among others, who:

• hiked with me in the Rocky Mountains (thanks, Debby!)
• introduced me to kayaking (thank you, Barbara!)
• climbed the Jupiter Lighthouse with me (thanks, Russ!)
• hosted my first Passover Seder (thank you, Susan!)
• taught me how to play croquet (thank you, Linda, Lisa, and Sharon!)
• invited me to an art gallery (thanks, Jane!)
• took me to my first county fair (thank you, Karon!)

Real life happens in community.

That’s what the Church is, too. A community. Brothers and sisters in Christ who come alongside other Christians so that no one is left on the sidelines, doing life alone.

King Solomon understood this when he wrote,

“Two are better than one,
because they have a good reward for their toil.
For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls
and has not another to lift him up!
Again, if two lie together, they keep warm,
but how can one keep warm alone?
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone,
two will withstand him—
a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV).

And the apostle Paul recognized our need when he wrote:

“And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,
encourage the fainthearted,
help the weak, be patient with them all”
(1 Thessalonians 5:14 ESV).

I’m glad my community ensures that I don’t just write about life…they make sure I live it, too!

Who is your community? Connect with them this week!