Dreams Need Community

I saw it at the Lucas’ as we clung to the assurance that Jesus never
fails for one another.  When one of us was faltering, two more threw the
burden up on their shoulders and said, “here, let me carry that for you
for awhile.”

I drank it in at the Gessler’s living room as we began to share our
dreams.  The dreams started to grow wings as we unveiled them.  The wind
of faith began to blow as we prayed together.  I could see some of them
take flight when we connected with others.

I got a taste of it when Caleb, Jubilee, Merry, Erin, Steve, Tiana ,
Rachael spent some fleeting moments discussing their dreams .  I
remember telling Steve, “You aren’t in this alone”, and thinking to
myself, “Teri, you aren’t in this alone either.”

We experienced it as road weary travelers taken in, fed delectable
food until we were in a delightful stupor, pampered, bathed in prayer,
and lavishly loved on.  The Steers pour into us so that we can pour into
others.

Community was popping out all over the place once we reached the
Longs.  Lively conversation broke out as we shared our dreams and
thought of ways to help each other gain momentum.  Encouragement was
flowing like the coffee.  We celebrated God and dreams and each other and coffee and laughter and worship and prayer and community and God all over again.

I saw it as Rebecca and Peter talked about Haiti.  And Lisa and Tangi
talked about life.  And in how Lily played dress up with Elliott and
dreamed of being princesses in a far off castle.

I saw it in the eyes of Jenna and Stacie as we talked via web cam
while they were in fast food joint California and we were sitting in a
kitchen in Raleigh.  I felt it in my heart.  I needed them.  I needed to
connect with them as friends and dreamers and fellow sojourners of
faith.

Last night before we went to bed, Lily needed to know that Rebecca
and Lisa were still going to go with us to our next stop.  I said yes. 
She said, “No, Mommy.  Are they going to keep going with us to help
dreams?”  Yeah.  Even a six-year old understands that dreams needs community.