When Two or Three Gather

Community can lift us up when we need it most.

I work in the front office of an elementary school and this week is our last week before the summer break. The office is busy on any given week, but to say that this week is packed full of events all week long, is an understatement. It seems like we can’t go more than ten minutes without something new popping up in the office.

And the busyness begins first thing in the morning, from parents who bring in an array of items left at home, from lunchboxes to homework, to phone calls from parents looking for a bus that they swear they were not late getting out for, or this week, calls from parents asking about events that those of us in the front office didn’t even know about.

People rarely pop in, in the morning just to say hello. If they come in, they usually want or need something.

But, yesterday, my sweet friend from choir, who also happens to be my pastor’s wife, popped in to say hello. She’s a long term sub until the end of the year and a retired teacher. She told me she just had to come in and tell me a little bit about her weekend.

Her granddaughter had turned sixteen and the family had a party for her. My friend decided to take the cornhole game that my family had made for her and her husband several years earlier. She said she thought they might enjoy it. Well, apparently it was a huge hit. Her eyes danced with joy as she talked about how much fun the family had playing that game and she gave me a hug and thanked me again for giving it to them.

I don’t know what prompted her to come and see me. I suspect it was spiritual in nature because I had really prayed on the way to work about extra patience and peace this week, and for God to help me be a light to others when I’m so stressed out at the moment.

And there she was, shining light herself, spreading love and joy, and starting my day with a positive spin.

I’ve often written about the importance of Christian Community, where we can encourage each other, just like the Apostle Paul wrote about, not that long after the Resurrection. I’ve seen Jesus through it way too many times to doubt its importance in our spiritual lives. Yes, it can sometimes be hard and we sometimes get it completely wrong.

Yet, we really are better together and as the Bible says, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Mathew 18:20

A morning hug reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂