dailydatewithgod

There is something unique about the people with whom we choose to surround ourselves.  There is a common phrase used in leadership and self-improvement circles about noticing the five people we surround ourselves with and the effect they have on who we are, how we behave, and what is important to us.  Scientifically there have been studies demonstrating the power of the crowd to influence behavior.  Often times it is mentioned as a warning instead of something to make note of, something to be grateful for, or something to look to what we might be contributing to others.  The positive side of community in the heart-felt sense is the power of genuine connection.  It is marked by people we can be ourselves with and do not need to put on a show.  Community is the people that we can be vulnerable with and who share their stories of similar situations without needing to fix us.  Community of the heart is there with us in the madness, in the joy, in the confusion, and normal boring ups and downs of life.  For some people this experience comes from family, church or faith-based groups, 12-step groups, work, extended family, school, and many more.  It matters little where we experience community of the heart but that we know it as the place where we can wear our heart on our sleeve and those around us will want to get to know it, all of it, all of us. This sense of heart community was something I did not understand the strength and power of until later in life.  I have learned the grace and the power of being with people who are delighted when I am present, to whom I am not obligated to contribute to but want to because I am able to see the beauty of their hearts and all the messiness.  On the outside we may not have a lot in common but our hearts know how to mirror each other.  I have learned the pain and the beauty of letting others in my heart.  I see that I was not ready for this until I learned to develop that kind of heart relationship with God. Looking back on my life I can see where God showed up in heart communities in little moments all throughout my life.  I am grateful to be willing to risk experiencing it more fully today.