What happen to Community

Lately I have had multiple conversations about the desire for a strong community but a lack of it. I can't help but wonder if we are longing for something that is not real or if we are just to lazy to make it happen?  I remember years ago a friend of mine writing about how our culture had been inundated with some many modern conveniences that are suppose to save us time - microwaves, cell phone, cars, and well you get the point.  But what have we done with the time we are saving?  

I know that in college I got to experience true community - a family.  But time and distance has separated many of those relationships and it seems harder and harder to build community where you are planted at this stage in life.  But man do I long for it!!!

Last night John and I had the best time with many of our "old family" from college.  We were celebrating the fact that we really are getting old :).  We talked about how easy it is just to stay in the 4 walls of your house than to get going and get out there.  I think so often I just want to be initiate  to rather than to do all the initiating.  The truth I think is that most every one feels that way so no one is initiating.  How sad!!!!

The other thing that is so hard - and for those of you that have moved recently you may have discovered this too - when you move to a new place everyone that is already there has a life.  They have their established relationships and routines.  I have also realized that for the most part they enjoy spending time together but they don't think to initiate which leaves it up to you.  This is why it is so tiring!!!So tiring.  

But today, I have spent lots of time thinking about how great last night was.  To sit down with friends that I really haven't seen in years and pick right up where we left off.  So easy!!!! So great!!!  And then I think that in order for this to be true of my life now I have to get my tail out there and initiate regardless of how much I had rather stay home.  I do feel grateful that God has placed a handful of couples in our life that John and I really want to spend more time with and so we just have to make people our priority again.  

I long to build a strong immediate family but I also want my family to know the world is bigger than our 4 walls and that there are people out there who need to be loved on by the Cook's.  So in the words of dear sweet April - I need to just get over myself and initiate to people and stop waiting for them to initiate to me.  (don't worry she wasn't fussing at me - actually she said "we")

So I decided today that I am not making excuses any longer (except the fact that we are leaving in 3 days for a week and half vacation).  But as soon as I get back I will be about the business of building me a community.  Anyone want to join me?  Oh and I may have to wait till I get Jake started in school :)  See this is how it happens - after this and after that.  Life is just crazy and I am through ranting!!!