My heart is full...

And yet, my heart aches.

Today I am thankful for friends who drive long distances for a 24 hour period of time together just because we both need it.

Today I am thankful that God will never abandon me. He will walk with me through everything I face.

Today I am thankful for the beautiful fall weather He has given us to enjoy.

I could keep listing things and these are things I need to focus on today.

But, I still have an ache in my heart. I ache for those who have never had friends who really care.

I ache for those who have not experienced HIS ravish love.

I ache for those who are struggling so much that they can't focus on the creation He gave us to enjoy.

Friends - community is about being there for those who hurt. It is about going above and beyond for those who don't have community. It's no wonder our world is as full of pain as it is. We have focused more on "come to us" and "come to the church" than we have actually focused on going and loving. And if people choose not to "do church" the rejection happens.

The commandment God said was the most important is:

Deuteronomy 6:4-8

4 “Sh’ma, Yisra’el! Adonai Eloheinu, Adonai echad [Hear, Isra’el! Adonai our God, Adonai is one]; 5 and you are to love Adonai your God with all your heart, all your being and all your resources. 6 These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; 7 and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them on your hand as a sign, put them at the front of a headband around your forehead, 9 and write them on the door-frames of your house and on your gates.

Matthew 22:37-40

37 He told him, “‘You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’ 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.”

Take time today to listen and love on those around you. Be HIS community to those who may be unloveable. Be HIS community to those you don't want to love.

Love and blessings,

Rose