Community...

How do you define this word?
We all would have our own definition, but I think the core of it would come down to a sense of belonging.

I feel lately, a lot of my Mom friends are missing out on the meaning of this word.
They don't have a great family support (geographically or just not around) and feel like they are taking up a friends time if they ask for help.

This makes me sad. I have to admit I truly feel the same way. Mainly when it comes time to ask for help. We are in a scoiety that strives for us to do it all, all the time. You are weak if you have to ask anyone for anything.
I thought I had gotten over this through each of my pregnancies (which literally leave me helpless and unfunctional), but each time I went back to my ways of "all by myself."

I just think it's wrong.  So I am determined to do what I can to increase the value of my community. I don't feel like I have a lot of time on my hands and certainly don't feel like I have a lot to offer. But I want to see my girlfriends and I want them to feel comfortable to know me well enough that they can ask me what they need from me.

I want to be in their lives that I actually know what's going on, that they don't have to ask any more, because I'm aware of the need. But as I work towards that, I want to be available.

Since last year, it has been our plan that I would start working on going back to work full time. Right now I work part time on a set schedule of Thursday and Friday nights and every Saturday. Nothing has really come up and I was feeling a little discouraged, but last week it finally dawned on me that I need to be a blessing with the time that I do have at home.

So here's my first step...morning tea. Nothing crazy, nothing stressful, but just a chance for my friends to have a place to come hang out for as long or little as they would like and start to grow our community. Not necessarily in size (although I'm happy to have as many as will come), but find that sense of belonging and comfort to draw on eachothers strength.

So every Tuesday morning, my house is open. And I hope my time can be a blessing and my community that I so desperately need will be a strong one.