A Soggy Paper Bag
As soon as we returned from spring break and were settled in on our routine,
five of us went to have life group time together off campus.
I didn't leave campus for break, and I wanted everyone who had left so feel an easy transition back into the city by seeing a bit more of it.
Also there are conversations that you can have in a cafe that you can't quite reach in a dorm room setting. A little distraction can be inspiring for some people, I know it is for me. The adventure was sweet as the ladies began telling stories about their break and the anticipation for what they felt G-d was preparing them for.
We went into a bridal shop and looked at wedding dresses and talked about all the dreams women build up about the day they get to be a bride. What the relationship looks like leading up to that day, what dilemmas might occur. Beginning with what sort of dress each liked best lead to talk about so many other dreams that are often discouraged to consider openly in a society that hushes up marriage as a foolish choice two people could not prevent their lusty instincts from making.
Theologically we understand that the marriage of a man and a woman is the blueprint G-d created to most pointedly show love and sanctification to humanity. We learn over and over what it means to suffer and what it means to delight in a uniquely potent form through marriage. Something that elicits such a strong emotional response ought not to be left to be formed by the wind.
As we continued our day we grabbed some Panera to take back with us to Moody since we missed lunch. On the way back to campus, as we rode the brown line, the soup in my brown paper bag leaked and started to tear the bag. The aesthetic was perfect, a bright brisk spring day, jolly company, and here part of life was falling apart. But not beyond repair, nor without reason. The gals were able to see I needed help carrying my things and supporting the deteriorating to-go bag, and they assisted. That's what good community does, it sees a need and seeks out ways to ease the need. The best community does not only see the needs of its members, but is aware of them because they are aware of their members.
five of us went to have life group time together off campus.
I didn't leave campus for break, and I wanted everyone who had left so feel an easy transition back into the city by seeing a bit more of it.
Also there are conversations that you can have in a cafe that you can't quite reach in a dorm room setting. A little distraction can be inspiring for some people, I know it is for me. The adventure was sweet as the ladies began telling stories about their break and the anticipation for what they felt G-d was preparing them for.
We went into a bridal shop and looked at wedding dresses and talked about all the dreams women build up about the day they get to be a bride. What the relationship looks like leading up to that day, what dilemmas might occur. Beginning with what sort of dress each liked best lead to talk about so many other dreams that are often discouraged to consider openly in a society that hushes up marriage as a foolish choice two people could not prevent their lusty instincts from making.
Theologically we understand that the marriage of a man and a woman is the blueprint G-d created to most pointedly show love and sanctification to humanity. We learn over and over what it means to suffer and what it means to delight in a uniquely potent form through marriage. Something that elicits such a strong emotional response ought not to be left to be formed by the wind.
As we continued our day we grabbed some Panera to take back with us to Moody since we missed lunch. On the way back to campus, as we rode the brown line, the soup in my brown paper bag leaked and started to tear the bag. The aesthetic was perfect, a bright brisk spring day, jolly company, and here part of life was falling apart. But not beyond repair, nor without reason. The gals were able to see I needed help carrying my things and supporting the deteriorating to-go bag, and they assisted. That's what good community does, it sees a need and seeks out ways to ease the need. The best community does not only see the needs of its members, but is aware of them because they are aware of their members.
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