If you’ve been around a “modern day” church in recent years you’ve probably heard the phrase: “doing life together”. It’s one of those catch phrases people are using that has the ability to lose its meaning due to overuse. In fact our church has used that phrase since day one. It was even our website name for awhile… (wedolife.com) For me this is actually a really high priority in my life…”doing life” with people.
My kids have grown up used to our house being full of people and its funny but they consider “our” friends “their” friends. It gets loud and noisy at times and they may not make it to bed exactly at eight o’clock every night- but you should see their eyes light up when the doorbell rings or watch Tyler scream, “It’s Chris and Eric!!!!” or Angelina showing off her latest artwork or performing her newest dance to a crowd of smiling adults… It really does take a village. And I really believe that its the way we were meant to live. Connected.
When I say “doing life” what I don’t mean is some cheesy, fluffy, surface-y type of living. Where everyone smiles all the time and shows their best face. What I mean is that life is intertwined with others in a very real way. And the reality is that it only works if you want it to. It is possible to gather together with people on a regular basis and leave the masks on- put your best face forward. I love the fact that so many people in my life are risk takers. They are willing to let their guard down and let life be messy and beautiful all at the same time…And then in the midst of the mess and noise, connection happens and bonds are built, ones that don’t fade easily. And moments are shared.
Last week we had our weekly Life Group and lately our group has been centered around a meal and just “being” together. Last Thursday, one of those moments happened. I will forever remember the circle around the table and everyone chanting my daughters name coaxing her to let us pull out the loose tooth that was hanging on by a thread. She was afraid and wouldn’t let Dad or Mark touch it. Finally the noise died down and a minute later she begins to scream…”I did it! I did it!” Everyone cheered as she held up her tooth. It was one of those snapshots in my mind- the feeling of connectedness and family and friendship will be embedded into my memory.
That’s what I mean when I say “doing life together.”
Loved the blog. Couldn’t agree more. I love “doing life together ” with you guys. We have to start soon with J-dubs arm exercises, I think he is almost a month old. Lol. See you on Thursday!!
That picture of Angelina really captures the moment. It was an evening I won’t soon forget either as Mark and I have talked about it several times since.
I love how God created friends and their families to compliment and complete our lives. I know it’s easy to drift apart, get wrapped up in ourselves, become disconnected… but the more time we spend with the people we love, the more we realize how blessed we are and how fulfilled our lives can be if we make relationships a priority.
I love you and Brad and I love your kids. I’m so glad we’re “family”.
Awesome blog. Terri said it best that we feel so blessed to have your family in our lives. We have had a few moments, the moments of questioning whether or not we made the right decision in having our own family. Those moments while not easy, confirm how fortunate we are sharing/doing life with those that we love. For some reason lately, probably due to group on Thursdays and the recent Amor trip, our family/friend life seems so much more complete. We all seem so much more connected. Possibly it is the “social networking” site……….:), or maybe the ones who labeled it that, but either way………we love the way it feels. Yes, we can get wrapped up in our lives at times, but the minute we are all hanging out again, “doing life together”, for me that is everything. That means taking the good and the bad, sharing both the negatives of the flesh and the benefits of the spirit. Encouraging eachother to be better husbands, wives, friends, family, givers & receivers and most importantly better being real with eachother. We may not necessarily like what eachother has to say, but we can count on honesty & accountability which will help us to grow to be better individuals during this minute time in this place.
I am not sure how I would be able to get through so many recent times in my life without the encouragment and love from my peeps. My peeps rule!!
I’m starting to see “doing life together” from a different angle. I once thought it was all about hanging out and being together in social situations. Obviously, this was the “hitch in my getty-up” (this was my weakness…this was my downfall) because I am more of a ’stay at home and read a book or two or three’ type of guy. I get bored easily in most social situations, but I wouldn’t consider myself a loner or a hermit. After these last few years of feeling bad about not being more social, I finally had the revelation that I was hardwired this way. We weren’t all designed to have lots of friends and be the life of the party, but we still can “do life” as well.
For me it’s more about the behind the scenes support group that exists. If any one of us were to fall, there would be many hands there to catch us!
I loved your blog and reading only makes me miss you guys that much more. We only “did life” with you for a short 6 months but those six months encompass some of my best and greatest memories and you guys are in every one of them.
Should we feel left out??
You are so right. The meaning of family can really encompass so much more than a blood line.
That is the cutest picture of her. It definitely captured how excited she was. I love the idea of doing life together too. Brian and I totally want to live life that way too. It’s awesome that you have people to do it with.
been reading your blog off and on for a long time now!!! never commented before…
i really enjoy it because it seems like you love your life so much, your such a giver (from what i’ve read anyway…lol), and i love looking at the pics of your ADORABLE kiddies!!!!!
keep it up!!!!!