Life in community

Its not surprise to people who know me that I am pretty social.  I really enjoy people and feel lonely when a few days go by without some social interaction.  L.D., though he enjoys company does not share the same passion for constant engagement that I do ;) 

So honestly, when he invited our next door neighbors (mom, dad, 2 teenage boys and 3 dogs) to live in our home for a few months while they were in transition - it took me by surprise that he seemed so at ease with the thought.  We LOVE our neighbors and I have mentioned many times how grateful we are for them and how we enjoy living life with them.  But I was still a little curious how this social experiment would go.

I've thought a lot about how Christ intended the church to function when it was founded in Acts chapter 2.  The early church lived together, shared meals together, it even says they "had everything in common" (Acts 2:42)  God intended us to live life in community, to the point where we share meals together, share our hearts with each other and enjoy the day to day living with one another.  In our current culture, that is so foreign. If we share a meal together it is planned in advance, we pull out our best dishes and make our best meal...its not a shared, normal life experience.

In the last few weeks Melanie and I have meal planned together, we take turns cooking, she runs to the grocery store for me, I leave my little ones home with her when I run Clare to school.  Last weekend we did some late night shopping together, LD pulled out his Super Nintendo and showed the boys his old games, we watched movies.  We have literally lived everyday life together.  And I love it. 

I think in June when they move out I am going to need another dog, or another kid (kidding!) to keep the full house feeling.  I've fallen behind in my regimented days and cleaning schedule, I haven't been nearly as diligent at being organized, but isn't that what life is all about?  Aren't we supposed to choose people over to-do lists?  Its been a great reminder to me that you can never out give God!