Have you ever sat in a chair that’s so comfortable – made specifically with you in mind? It’s this feeling of comfort that I think many of us look for in our relationships. However it is not where most of them start off.
Connie and I have just spent the last four days in new staff training at AIM.
I really wasn’t sure what to expect going into this time. I had heard there was going to be about 18 or so other people there with us.
I was filled with apprehension and excitement at the same time.
The first night we went through all the awkward moments of meeting new people.
Soon we noticed a couple of differences…we were the “oldest” couple there and we are to be based out of Gainesville while they were all younger and were going overseas. We drove away feeling just a little out of place.
Connie and I talked about this on the 30 minute drive “home”. It’s difficult to put yourself out there in front of other people.
We often look for someone to reach out to us and forget that others around us are most likely looking for someone to reach out to them.
We approached the next day with the resolve to put ourselves in the mix of just being ourselves in this new community.
The day rolled on with lots of great information about AIM, the goals of the organization, missions, and other tools that would help all of us in our new roles.
It was in the midst of all of these meetings that I began to see people being open about their hopes, fears, success, and failures.
Many of us could relate to the hurts and the joys of the others in our small community of new staff.
There is great encouragement and strength that is found in knowing that you are not alone.
We’ve gained new friends and look forward to sharing this life on mission together.
I have come away from this training encouraged and challenged.
I have been challenged to be intentional about engaging in authentic community (to not always wait for someone else to initiate authenticity), to be intentional about being in communities of disciple makers, and to be involved with praying communities.
To all of you who are doing life with us
– thank you for your encouragement, your authenticity, prayers, and partnership in the gospel.
