Building Bricks of Community

"Well, no one said hi to me."

"Those people are just weird."

"I’m just going to keep to myself and avoid the drama here."

"We’re only here a short time."

"I just can’t get emotionally involved again; it hurts too much to say goodbye."

Excuse stacks upon excuse when we decide to be recluses and not work at building community. The more we sit in our homes, behind our phones, the greater the divisions loom in our eyes. Loneliness wins. We know even without the Bible that we need each other. Research is finding more and more that we are hardwired to need connection with other people. The military lifestyle makes us highly vulnerable to the pain of loneliness, and it also makes it very easy to disconnect and fade away on your own.

But the military family is also very good at building community. Because of forced practice, we know to jump right into opportunities and not procrastinate getting to know people and taking care of them.

Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself.
Romans 12:10 (CEV)

God said it long before our research studies. In the Bible, loving each other and caring for one another is a second theme after loving God. We are commanded to do it, and we need to model how to do it for our children. So talk to people for longer than the cultural pleasantries. Invite people over for dinner, even if you can only order pizza. Help someone out and be vulnerable enough to ask for and accept help. Seek out those with whom you don’t agree and learn from their perspective. Pray with your kids for your friends and your neighbors.

PRAY

Lord God, we need friends. Help us to find those we can serve and love. Help us to love others even when it’s hard. Amen.

TIME TO TALK

Conversation starter for kids: Provides you with questions and prompts to facilitate a time of applicable discussion with children to lead them towards knowing God and His Word more deeply.

Question(s): How have people made you feel welcome? How can we be kind to others, or get to know them better?

Apply: Take a family walk and pray for a neighbor as you walk by their house. Ask God to help your family intentionally connect with the people he has put in your circle. Ask your kids for ideas on how they would feel comfortable connecting with others, and then help them make it happen!

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These verses will help parents expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day.

Psalm 133:1

Romans 12:16