Community at Bene Diction Blogs On

Community

I set off on a journey recently that didn’t end at my expectations. That can be humbling and freeing. If I have the priviledge of taking this journey again, I will go with no goals, I will just go.

“The key to this form of community involves holding a paradox - the paradox of having relationships in which we protect each other’s aloneness.
We must come together in ways that respect the solitude of the soul, that avoid the unconscious violence we do when we try to save each other, that evoke our capacity to hold another life without dishonouring its mystery, never trying to coerce the other into meeting our own needs”

Parker Palmer - Let Your Life Speak

To wait open-endedly is an enormously radical attitude toward life. So is to trust that something will happen to us that is far beyond our own imaginings. So, too, is giving up control over our future and letting God define our life, trusting that God molds us according to God’s love and not according to our fear.” Henri Nouwen

Published 5 years, 3 months ago

8 Responses to “Community”

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1 Mike on Jun 17th, 2003 at 5:11 pm

Awesome, Bene!

Sue and I were talking last night about the “dangers” of community - that is, not allowing people to be individuals, etc.

I’m going to link to these quotes (when I get home).

Peace.
2 Richard on Jun 17th, 2003 at 5:58 pm

Well said, Bene.

Blessings and peace - Richard
3 Rich on Jun 17th, 2003 at 6:03 pm

A journey with no expectations? Sounds fabulous and very Godly! Now, it’s the putting that into practice that would be difficult for me! Tell you what, I’ll live vicariously through you, Bene!
4 Bene Diction on Jun 17th, 2003 at 6:09 pm

Acck Rich, living vicariously through me would really mess up your life! I botch mine daily!
I have the worst sin of giving God my broken ‘toys’ and then demanding them back because I’m impatient, thinking He isn’t fixing them.
I am grateful that once they are given, He loves me to much to acquiece to my childish tantrums.
When He does restore, everyone is better off.
I’ll spend the rest of my life learning that lesson. This latest experience was not without pain and a lot of patience from mature people!
My halo is held up by my horns. Blog on!
5 phil on Jun 17th, 2003 at 8:46 pm

Nicely put and lived out!
6 Lisa on Jun 18th, 2003 at 12:29 am

Great quotes, Bene! May we all learn and live together in ways that protect aloneness and encourage togetherness.
7 Debi on Jun 18th, 2003 at 7:23 am

Wonderful quotes, Bene! Thanks for sharing them.
8 Jared WIlliams on Jun 18th, 2003 at 3:16 pm

Huge Bene…thanks for sharing. echoing many conversations that i am having all at once.