Community Takes Time

So I've been in Pasadena for 20 months now. And I've potentially only got between 6 weeks and the rest of my life left. ;-)

I got out of my apartment this morning to attend the "Peace and Justice Concerns" meeting. My friend Sara invited me to hear her speak about her recent trip to Haiti, about 6 weeks after the earthquake. I loved hearing her own words about her experience, and she also shared a Lament for Haiti, written by the president and CEO of Food for the Hungry, Benjamin K. Homan. It is a moving piece that I would have loved to have read during my Old Testament Writings class when we studied Lamentations. The modern application of the Scriptures is transformative for me. I'm grateful for this example to use as a model for the suffering I will undoubtedly come across in my future.

As I left the meeting, I passed by a few friends. I chatted with Katy about what classes and assignments we are working on this week. I caught up with Bryant, the professor of one of my classes, to clarify with him what our final paper is supposed to be about. I then came to the library and found Matt, with whom I discussed the same paper and our plans for the weekend. Now as I sit near the entrance, I am able to wave to friends as they pass by to study.

A few of these people I met my first quarter here, but many I've met in recent weeks. With some I am able to share deeper things that I am working through, and with some I have more surface-level conversations.

I went camping this past weekend, in celebration of my friend Eric's 30th birthday. Of the 9 of us there, by the end of the weekend, I was the only one still in my 20's. :-) Most of the group is a part of the same small group that has existed for 6+ years. These people have been friends a long time! Even though I had just met them, I could see they shared deep friendships. They were comfortable with each other and confident in their friendships. There was an intangible quality of love and security that wasn't limited to their group, but included me and another friend who wasn't part of their small group. It was so refreshing to me to included and accepted into this group of mature friendship.

So as I reflect on my time here in Pasadena, I can see how true community takes time. It takes commitment to one another beyond the demands of school, work, and family. It takes a selfless love that doesn't leave room for competition or jealousy. It takes sustained months and years of continued relationship, and I was so grateful to witness that in this group of friends.

As I think about my impending departure, I am sad that I won't have the opportunity to build those deep friendships and relationships. I will still stay in touch with many of my classmates and friends here, and time will deepen those friendships as long as we stay in touch. But it isn't the same as living together, of doing life together. Nor does it discount the friendships that were only just made. I am thankful to get to know the new students this quarter and share life with them, if only for 10 weeks. That shorter relationship still has value.

But true community takes time, and I am grateful for the community that I left in Virginia that still has a deep hold on my life.