I’ve been talking about this move we’re doing, just 3 days from today, and I still can’t believe it’s happening. A cross-country traipsing of epic proportions. South Carolina to Arizona, and the only reason I’m not scared silly for the impending culture shock is because Arizona is home (though we left 11 years ago). It’s where my husband and I grew long legs and big hearts and eyes only for each other.

We felt the itch last month, got a little worried (ok, we fully freaked out), surrendered and started planning. We grew to not fear the details, anxiety issues seemed to melt away and we learned patience. We saw that we need only be obedient to the process, to allow Jesus to care for the results, and giggled together at 3am over the freedom in that obedience.

All this growing, all this learning, has happened in just the 6 weeks since we decided to move. I can only imagine the growth that God has in the new home, our new city, if this much has happened already!

But there is one thing I still am uneasy about: who will our community be?

We have been in a season of wilderness lately as we are without community here due to various factors. It isn’t a big stretch to imagine that God has new community waiting for us. But I confess I have that “new kid at school” jitters about the thought of starting all over with a new circle of friends.

I treasure my online community so much, but so much more can happen when we break bread with people. The in-the-flesh people that can shape us and challenge us fill a community shaped hole in our hearts. God created us with that hole, such that we’d always search to find the missing part until we are home with Him.

We’re talking so much of community here lately, I know it’s likely been on your mind too. How has God stretched your idea of community?

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By Arianne of To Think Is To Create

Photo: Dawn Camp

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