Tonight, I went back to AA after not having an opportunity to attend for quite some time. The church plant isn't going that well. We've lost a significant amount of momentum so I've decided to go back to the basics with contact work (Making consistent relational connections with people in the community). Wasn't expecting what happened this evening. First of all, I missed most of the meeting because I got the time wrong and paid the price from Robert, my dear friend who leads the group, by putting me on the spot with questions I couldn't have possibly have answered. He knew it..:) I knew it..:) and at the end of the meeting, he came up and embraced me as it has been too long since we've given each other company.
I then spent the next four hours talking to Robert and the cast of characters that remained as we fried fish, tried to play chess (only moved three pieces) and watched a little bit of Monday Night football.
Robert and I after not seeing each other for quit some time engaged in an incredibly intimate conversation, which involved then calling his daughter and talking through things over speaker phone. All of us really enjoyed the richness of the conversation and felt our spirit uplifted.
I've been struggling to connect with people in the neighborhood, particularly those within my age and socio-economic class. In fact, it has had me feeling very discouraged at moments. Then tonight, the trust, the embrace, the laughter and meaningful conversation. And totally outside my immediate circle of relationships. Oh, how I have longed for this in the neighborhood for some time.
My heart is filled with gratitude.
I then spent the next four hours talking to Robert and the cast of characters that remained as we fried fish, tried to play chess (only moved three pieces) and watched a little bit of Monday Night football.
Robert and I after not seeing each other for quit some time engaged in an incredibly intimate conversation, which involved then calling his daughter and talking through things over speaker phone. All of us really enjoyed the richness of the conversation and felt our spirit uplifted.
I've been struggling to connect with people in the neighborhood, particularly those within my age and socio-economic class. In fact, it has had me feeling very discouraged at moments. Then tonight, the trust, the embrace, the laughter and meaningful conversation. And totally outside my immediate circle of relationships. Oh, how I have longed for this in the neighborhood for some time.
My heart is filled with gratitude.
