Lazy Boy

I have really gotten bad at writing lately.  I always intend to make time to write things down but somehow I allow myself to get sidetracked. 

Off to Dallas early in the week then back home and then off to Chicago.  Travel is getting to be a regular part of my life now, the sheen has already worn off.  I have the airport security warning memorized.  

Today my friend Matt and I rescued our neighbor’s home from the overgrowth that became his yard.  He moved to Ohio several weeks back leaving his home for sale and unattended.  It’s amazing how tall grass can get in a short amount of time.  It took almost all morning just make the yard look somewhat presentable.  The sad part of the job is that it will all need to be done again in a matter of days I am sure.

As Matt and I were working together on the yard, we had a chance to talk about what living in community looks like in the nitty gritty of everyday life.  Many people live out community around pot-luck dinners and that is pretty much where things stop.  The reality of community is that it is hot and dirty and inconvenient and often times very unpleasant . . . but at the end of the day it is true community.  

In my  journey of trying to follow Jesus, I have found that the reality of my faith – the reality of true community is being lived out most often, in the dirty, inconvenient and sometimes exasperating work of being available for others who have no one else.

I have noticed that the response to person’s need, regardless of how inconsequential that need might be, is often in direct proportion to how easy it is to be around that person.  In other words, the more lovely, more beautiful, the more enjoyable that person happens to be, the larger the response. Must have something to do with our fallen nature.  

Well that is enough for tonight. Time to go pack so that I am ready to leave for the airport in the morning.  Sleep will be a welcome friend tonight.