Holiday visits

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The holidays are an interesting thing.  They create stress and joy all at the same time. They bring persons together that might not otherwise have the opportunity to come together.  In the midst of it all, there is always the pressure to meet, greet and be a part of the holiday cheer.

While the holidays are officially over, the visits to friends and family continue for many.  The visits bring about what a good friend calls "grouping up".  "Grouping up" consist of family (or friends) coming together and piling into a space and existing together.  The interesting thing that occurs in 'grouping up' is that everyone's personal space is stretched just a bit.  We live in a culture in which persons have their own rooms and in some cases even their own bathrooms.  We are a custom to thinking of our selves in terms of bedtime schedules, food schedules (as well as likes and dislikes), where we want to go or what we want to do. It challenges our own family traditions and the things that we want/or need.

'Grouping up' challenges all of those things.  It causes us to think about others, not just ourselves. It causes us to let go of some of our personal boundaries and learn to give and take on the things that we want.  It causes us to find our way in the midst of community instead of living our individual lives. 

'Grouping up' reminds me of living as a community of faith.  We are called to come together. To mesh together all of our individual wants and desires to the needs of the community.  It causes us look at our 'traditions' and find something new for those that are gathered.  It begs us to always be looking forward and not just think about the needs of one group but the needs and desires of all the subgroups. In 'grouping up', in living as a community we must be willing to find the common ground, to find the good that will benefit everyone not just one subgroup.  There is not one subgroup that is more important than another.

Where have you been 'grouping up'.  Where are you being called to give up your personal wants and desires for the needs of the community?  Where are you being called to find a new tradition?  Where are you being asking to do things in a new way?

Comments

  1. Glenda L. Skinner-NobleDecember 30, 2011 at 9:59 AM

    I hope to group up with you soon! Maybe this summer we can do so!

    ReplyDelete

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