Christian Community stands by us when times are tough and celebrates with us when times are good.
Last Sunday, when our church announcements were being made, someone from the back of the church called out, “Look who’s here!”
Of course, we all whipped our heads around to see who it was. We all began to clap and cheer when we realized that it was Miss Bonnie. Miss Bonnie will proudly tell you that she is 90. She was widowed while very young and raised five children, essentially on her own. She was a cheerleader at the University of Georgia and puts on her uniform that she has kept all of these years, at the yearly homecoming game and cheers with the current cheerleaders. She is also a retired professor with a PHD.
As if all of this isn’t impressive enough, she’s a hoot and I loved sitting next to her at our Bible study last winter. She really enjoys sitting near our teenagers during church service and I have often jokingly told her that I don’t know who I should tell to behave during service, her and her friends or the teens on my row. She always laughs at that.
Last spring, Miss Bonnie fell and broke some bones. After several weeks, she wasn’t healing. She saw specialists and her kids took turns coming to look after her. She was added to the prayer list. The congregation sent cards and many visited. I had heard just a few weeks ago that she had gone to stay with her son in Atlanta.
I silently wondered if I would ever see her again. I missed her sassy presence. But, on Sunday, she surprised us all and came through the door, assisted by her son. She had lost some weight, but she looked great and the congregation erupted in cheers.
I have often written about the importance of Christian community. We pray for each other and support each other when times are tough. We come together and celebrate when times are good and sometimes we have to cheer for each other because we are just so overwhelmed with joy at one of our church family member’s accomplishments. Sunday was one of those days.
We all matter to God as individuals. You matter. I matter. We are all precious to Him, the one who made us. The Bible tells us, “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” Luke 15:10
Heaven cheers when we get it right. Jesus told his disciples to love one another and I believe that strong Christian community is one of the closest things we have to Jesus on this side of eternity. Jesus cheers with us as we cheer each other on.
True Christian community is a gift. If you are part of one, give thanks for it. If you are not, I encourage you pray about it and go where God leads. It’s worth every step of the search. I pray I’ll be as loved as Miss Bonnie when I’m 90.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂