Communitas

Thinking a lot about community this past week. Of course,I live in a new community and so far, we have felt welcomed, and cared for. Offers of help, participation in a neighborhood yard sale, invitations for dinner and to a birthday party. Late night visits on the front porch to catch up on all of the neighborhood news. My daughter calls this place "Pleasantville."  You can't live within such close proximity  and not get to know one another...for good and for bad.

   

Ben and Meghan are visiting this weekend. We have their birthdays to celebrate. Family will be here, and Ben is bringing along a dozen friends from Freedom Village....they are traveling in the area  to let people know about their program and then the guys will be staying here at our house.  Family. Village. Neighborhood. Community.

I shared my blog with a co-worker yesterday. I found it interesting trying to explain to her how we were all connected...from all parts of the world, most of us having never met.

How, in some interesting way, there are people that really do care about what my next knitting project will be, and what yarn I will use.

How, it's more than just knitting that connects us.

Neighborhood, community, village, family, ministry, knitting, blogging.  Our pastor just taught about "communitas" in a message last Sunday. I was able to sort of describe our knitting and blogging connection related to what we had learned.

Communitas.  People standing together "outside" the structured community, with a strong bond of togetherness and belonging to a common purpose...which in turn, some believe, strengthens the structured social community. Like faith communities... communitas.  Like the knitting/blogging community...communitas. Think of the ways that we are all different, yet bonded by a common sense of belonging, because of our craft and how we communicate about it.  Think of the ways that we benefit the structured, social community, by way of knitting for charity. Think of how, because of our love for what we do, we are passionate, nice people...and how that benefits our neighborhood, community, village, family.

I was running some errands yesterday at lunchtime, and buy my slight misjudgment, I was creeping forward at a three way stop in a parking lot, and there was a young mom (with a wagon full of kids, and a few more two-stepping behind, trying to keep up), who came swiftly approaching that intersection. I didn't see her coming alongside the parking lot road, and she was very upset with me that I had crept forward. I made eye contact, and voiced my apology to her...a few times, as she continued to rant about the fact that there are people in this world that don't care about anybody else, and  are rude, and on and on, with few expletives, in front of her children. As I turned the corner, I once again told her how very sorry I was,  through my open window, while she was continuing her rage at me.

All day long, I thought about that woman. And how sad it was that she didn't belong to a "communitas." I was sad to think that there was not someone or something beyond her own life and circumstances that could give her a sense of joy, of belonging.... I wished that I could spend time with her, teaching  her to knit...and making her feel important.    

Comments

[lynda]

She would be blessed by getting to know you. I know I am. You could teach her so much more than to knit (as important as that is!)

[Marisol]

I am happy to hear that you are really getting situated and establishing yourself within your new community. It sounds like you picked a great place to live:)

Its too bad about the incident yesterday with the young mom. Don't pay too much attention it happens all the time even to us. I agree with the previous reader, if she ever has the opportunity of getting to know you she would realize that her initial perception could not be further from the truth:)

[Jules]

I couldn't agree more, you're a blessing to get to know Lynn! And to be honest, if someone's heart isn't open, there's not much you can do but pray for them.

[Nancy]

Awesome post! I am glad that you are enjoying your new home and community. I agree the best thing to do is to pray for that woman. Even though it didn't show at that moment, your kindness might have planted a seed in her. Hopefully her joy is growing already.
Nancy

[Debby]

I really enjoyed reading your post. Community has been on my mind too these days, as I belong to both a knitting and cycling community, and both have been such a wonderful source of strength to me during our move. In my life at least, some of the more traditional communities don't seem to hold together the way these newer ones have, and I'm curious as to why that is. Perhaps in the part of the country I live, people are too mobile, and the internet has ironically become the constant? Lots to think about!

I'm sorry about your experience with the Mom. She was probably already having a bad day, but perhaps after you left her, something good has come her way through your prayers.

[Beth]

I'm sorry you had to experience that yesterday. Things like that really bother me and I probably would have started to cry. Lynda put it very well.

[Renee]

What a lovely post! I know that the community aspect of blogging is the number one reason that I continue to blog and read blogs. And what a truly Christian spirit you show by showing compassion and love for that woman, rather than allowing her to make your day lousy, too.

[Leah]

I envy you. In three years I think we have managed to make the guy next door say hello maybe twice.

And I'm very impressed with your response to the ranting woman. My fleshly response would not be that kind.

[Cindy Ericsson]

I hope someone finds that mom and adopts her into a wonderful "communitas." Whatever her circumstances, they will seem harsher without it. Yet I think of a woman I know, my age, but with quite a few more children, who is rather poor in the world's accounting. Having so many children, there is always some major event going on, which she almost always handles with grace and smiles. She shares everything she has with whoever needs it, and has learned to accept when others share with her. She creates that sense of "communitas" by treating everyone as a blessed child of the King, and by remembering that she is also one.

[Heidi]

What a beautiful post. I"m glad to be part of your community, and can't wait to see what you knit next!

[Michelle]

If she knew you, I'm sure she would love you. Maybe she was having a bad day and couldn't see the light at the end of the tunnel.

[keri]

Great post! I'm so happy to be part of your comumnita! =)

[amanda]

Good for you, Lynne. I often find it difficult to handle people like that, wanting to yell back (but I don't). I'll remember this post and your thoughts and think on it next time I encounter someone like that. Thanks.

[Carol]

I am always interested in what is next on your knitting agenda... :)

Ted is doing well ty...we take one day at a time.

Boy your house will be busy this weekend..if they remember me say a big hi to the children.

Take care Lynne...

Oh yes loved the granny square bag...you did good...[chuckles]

[Dorothy]

Well written. I've been amazed at the friendships I've made through blogging. And I too feel sad for those whose anger prevents them from joining in the community. We are blessed indeed!

[amanda]

great post lynne! love the idea of communitas and love that you are so inspiring :o)

[Paula]

I love our little (actually BIG) blogging community. That has been on my mind recently as well. It's really sad that the young mother in your day couldn't see beyond herself to accept your apology. I think you're right, she needs to knit!!

[Sue]

It is so true that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ and as such, we are one. The young mom will hopefully find her way someday soon to a point in her life where she realizes that she is embraced by others ~ spiritually, emotionally, in a spirit of grace and truth.

I know you are praying for her ~ and, perhaps, that was what God intended all along ....