Friday, April 27, 2012

Five Minute Friday {And Then Some} :: Community

"You painted the WHOLE house in a week!"



That's the response I usually get when I tell or show people the progress that we have made around the house.

"No...we didn't paint the WHOLE house," I say, but then I start counting...one..two...four...five rooms maybe. We didn't start off planning to do so many but it just seemed right because the colors did not feel like "home" and I did not know when I would have this uncluttered house again.

The response it often amazement at how much work was accomplished in just one week, and my response is always the same, "It took a village."



Fred with his basically professional painting skills, teaching me how to paint well as he moved his brush across my walls.



His wife and daughter coming in here and there to help us clean along the way.




Alison, fully pregnant, sitting on the laminate floors painting my bedroom trim as her 16 month old played happily around the room as we worked.




My parents flying across the Caribbean Sea, sacrificing their time and energies to help build a fence, paint more rooms, move furniture, iron clothes.





And I still I remember.

Aunt Bonnie showing up the day we got our key with balloons and flowers to just celebrate with us.



Uncle Ranny using his dry walling skills to patch and restore in his beautifully perfectionistic way.



Cousins arrived to paint my new walk-in closet, giving up hours of their afternoon, just because, and I cannot help but think of them every time.



Mom Mom and Aunt Bonnie bringing meals, wiping counters, washing dishes, feeding the army so busy hands would not have to stop or be distracted.







Sis painting all week and then shopping with me to find the loveliest bathroom decor to suit our taste and space.



Her man, giving of his skills to finalize and complete household projects and decor.

David and his girls coming for an evening and helping to paint.


Watching those 6 and 13 year old hands paint my walls, and something feels so right about it to my former children/youth pastor heart, that their love and efforts are poured into my office, where new dreams will be made and realized. And their dad, taking the time to smooth out their mistakes, and the process is seamless.

Greg bringing his landscaping tools and working with my love to freshen our new yard, and then traveling back and forth and back again to load the contents of our life onto his trailer to bring them to this abode that we now call home.



And as the week goes on, I feel overwhelmed, humbled, delighted, and amazed at the gifts given to me by these precious souls, who give expecting nothing in return, but simply as an act of love, rejoicing with us, together, in how God has placed a promise in our hands.



And if I am honest....I have been a bit discouraged and disillusioned with community over the past two years, withdrawing into my own hurt and pain for some reasons valid and for some protective, scared of letting go, reaching out, giving in to that vunerable place again.

And still they came...loving, giving, rejoicing, hoping, praying, believing, laughing, serving...

In the brokenness of my soul, I am finding community again.
Little by little.
Day by day.
Promise to promise.

As the veil opens to show me a glimpse of what is really there,
I see I have never truly EVER been alone.
Never been far apart from those who hold my heart to Jesus so often.
And I feel humbled with the revelation,
Moved by the raw humanity.

17 comments:

Cara @ WhimsySmitten said... Best Blogger Tips

What a beautiful home and beautiful people who poured their hearts into it. Congrats again, sweet Lindsey! May all your dreams come true in that place. <3

Ms. Kathleen said... Best Blogger Tips

This is so awesome and I must say I LOVE your color choices and what a FABULOUS family you have. I'm not writing on 5-min Friday today because it would be a bit depressing I think. After 8 yrs here I still don't seem to fit in. I am anxious to sell our place and move on. My "community" right now consist of my fabulous sisters and brother, my family and friends that live far away. I am not unhappy by any means but the Lord has new plans for us and I am so excited about the future. I love the fact that I have opportunity to travel as well. So love your new home. It looks just perfect! Have a wonderful day.

alwaysalleluia said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh Lindsey, this brought tears. What a beautiful season of family and friends rallying around you, helping, celebrating, sharing, giving, just BEING with you!  Wow!  This is a beautiful display of Christ's love. And your new home? Well, it's JUST lovely. Beautiful words, friend!! Xo

MommaTaderDoodles said... Best Blogger Tips

*sniff* Awesome Lindsey :)  I would have spent the whole time panicked over it all. The house looks beautiful!

Julie Anne said... Best Blogger Tips

Hey, I've got a kitchen, hallway and bathroom that need painted... When are you coming?!? :) beautiful community... And definitely more than 5 minutes!

Caroline @UnderGod'sMightyHand said... Best Blogger Tips

Yes.. "And still they came..." That's so true (I've seen it too) and so important. Congrats to you!

Meredith said... Best Blogger Tips

I love, love, love, love this!!!  So excited for the next chapter of your lives!!

Erin M said... Best Blogger Tips

The community God calls around us is beautiful - and all we have to do is let them in.

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Amen! Thank you, Erin!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you, sweet Mer! You have been so supportive!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

It IS amazing, right? Thank you, Caroline!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Yeah, let's do it! And for sure...I could not leave anyone out so I needed my {and then some} today to truly give justice to those who gave so much of their time!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Well...I did start to feel that way by the end of the week...luckily those that saw the testy side, love me best, so they absorbed it all in their loving way! Thank you!!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you, Kris! I know...it's crazy, it's scary, it's fun, it's beautiful!  Appreciate you!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

You know, I actually feel the same way...the pics above are people whom I don't get to see every day or even every week for one reason or another and are not usually in the same group either. I pray that you will find community some way, some how very soon!

And thank you, Ms. Kathleen.....

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

Thank you, my dearest Cara! I love you!

lindseyfoj said... Best Blogger Tips

P.S. I opened my sister's computer and she has a blog post of yours pulled up and I was like, "Oh, you read my friend, Cara's blog?" and she actually found it through another means and then connected us back to each other via my mentions...so crazy and cool!!

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