Let Us Commune

Have you ever secretly wished for a power outage that would last for days, maybe even weeks? I have. I know what you’re probably thinking, “Kevin, have you lost your mind? Don’t you remember the last major power outage we had in September of 2008 when Hurricane Ike came through and knocked our electricity out for 6 days? Yes, I do. In fact, some folks were without power for weeks. Was it an inconvenience? Yes. Were there benefits? Yes, from my perspective.

One of the benefits that stood out to me the most was the sense of community that came to the forefront. I met neighbors that I had not known up to that point. Family members came together and we actually conversed with one another instead of getting lost in our computers and cell phones.

Why does it seem like we can only have true community when our modern conveniences are temporarily shut down?

Webster’s Dictionary defines community as a group of people with a common characteristic or interest. We are all part of some community in one form or another. However, I want us to think about the root word of community: commune. No, I’m not talking about the noun form, which is a group of people living together and sharing possessions and responsibilities. I’m talking about the verb: to communicate with someone or something in a very personal or spiritual way.

Ah, but never fear, we have Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram now, don’t we? I love social media. It’s a great tool for communicating thoughts and ideas, not to mention those cute pictures of puppies, kittens, and grandchildren of course! We can learn a lot about each other from social media, but how can I really know the real you? It can only come from time spent together. In person. I write a weekly blog and publish it on Facebook. I share bits and pieces of my life and some of my beliefs, but there are some things about me you’ll never know unless you spend actual time with me, and vice versa. It’s easy to sit behind a computer or cell phone and go on a rant about politics or the guy who cut me off on the freeway.

There’s something about being able to look you in the eye, to hear voice inflection, to see body language. We can’t get that through any other means than personal time together.

Time together. That’s what I love the most about holidays (and eating good food!). It’s the time spent around the table eating, laughing, sharing stories, sharing ourselves.

I can’t imagine what it is like to be without family to spend holidays with. We have what I call “the open family concept” in the Sherman household. More holidays than not, we have had guests in our home who were not blood relatives or in-laws, but if you eat at my table you’re considered family. I feel pretty good about that. I believe that’s the heart of our Father God.

“God sets the solitary in families…” (Psalm 68:6)

Becky and I have jokingly talked about putting a basket by the front door at our next family gathering. Upon entering the house, everybody would put their cell phones in it, to be left there until time to leave (except for taking pictures of course, which we will then immediately post to social media, lol!) We might actually set that basket out this time.

I’m going to make a challenge: Put a basket by the door. I you can’t do that, at least try to put your phone down long enough to have an actual conversation. Who knows? You might actually get to know somebody.

Let us commune.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kevin