where I see community

This past weekend I went on a high school retreat modeled after the Great Banquet. It is called the Awakening. On this retreat I learned a lot about kids and how they process things, especially God. I was overwhelmed by two things. First, my church brought 9 kids and had 2 kids that were on the team for this retreat which was an hour and half away from their home. On Saturday night we had 12 or 13 members of our church come out to support these young people. Most of these adults did not have children participating in the event, or even old enough to go, but they drove 3 hours to support these young people on their journeys. That is the kind of church I believe in, that is the encouragement and love of Christ. 

Secondly, I was moved by how these kids related to each other. When you put a group of teenagers together there is not telling what could happen. In a group of 50 high schoolers, kids were able to leave saying that this is where they feel included and loved for who they are. Yes, there were some tables where kids would section themselves off in pairs, but they found someone to relate to and belong with. This was very powerful, this is the Church, doing it's job. The Church should be the place where all kids are welcomed, despite their differences or oddities. 

So after this awesome Church experience where my faith in humanity is restored, I saw it again while voting. While democracy in action can be moving, this was a special case. A woman was waiting in line to vote and she had a small child with her, probably 2 or 3 months old. The child was in a stroller, but had started to get fussy. The mother started to put on her wrap to put the baby in it and the two women behind her helped her put it over her head and adjust it. (I presume that these women did not know each other). Then as the baby continued to cry, the four people in front of the mother, let her go before them. It literally brought tears to my eyes, to see people act so kindly to each other for no apparent reason. 

Then I get on Facebook yesterday and last night as the election results are in and everyone had something to say about it. Which I truly believe is positive, however, some of it was disheartening. This is my prayer for today:

God of all people,

Help us O God to remember that you govern our hearts,

you have already sent a leader to guide us,

your will for our lives is already within us.

Open our eyes to those around us. 

Let us see each other as your people, 

not political parties, or of a specific race, gender or orientation

Help us see the humanity in one another.

Lead us, as a country, as a world, as your kindom.

Lead us to where you want us to be,

guiding us in the paths of righteousness and truth. 

I ask all these things in the name of our risen Christ.

Amen