I was scrolling through my Facebook newsfeed during my lunch break today at work and scrolled past a status about someone being admitted to the hospital. I noticed the outpouring if concern for this person as people were sending well wishes and told them they would pray for them.

My mind began to wander, as it typically does, and I started thinking what would happen if I was in the hospital. Stick with me this is just how my brain works. In my head I began to go through the people I thought might come visit me. The list kept getting longer – housemates, coworkers, friends. I was overwhelmed (almost to the point of tears – I know I’m disgusting) by the love that I feel from the people around me.

I of course also thought of my family back home in Indiana and knew the concern, prayers, and outpouring of love that would come from them. Knowing that my parents would probably make every effort to come visit me, and the calls and cards that would come is so comforting.

God created us to be in relationship – ultimately with Him, but also with one another. We can often times disappoint one another, break each other’s trust, and hurt each other. But God has given us unrelenting and everlasting grace that can flow through us to the people we meet and we can live in community with one another – a community that I feel blessed to be a part of and is filled with love, and grace, and sincerity. A community the stretches all over the country and all over the world with all kinds of people. This community is just a glimpse of what the Body of Christ can look like.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17