I used to be under the delusion that I didn't need people and all I needed was Jesus. People were messy, hypocritical, and disappointing at best. Christians were usually worse. I convinced myself it was better to stay away.
Around this time, I graduated high school and moved a few states away for college. I also joined a sorority. In retrospect, I'm not really sure why. I think a better, less angry part of me realized how much I longed for community. In those few years, I learned why I need people. People are messy: sure. They're also hypocritical and can be disappointing. But they also have stories. I have grown to find so much beauty in all the chaos that we create. Real relationships and authentic community are messy, not perfect, much like ourselves. But there is so much redemptive power in vulnerability and loving through the mess. There is freedom in sharing stories over endless hot cups of coffee.
Today I'm thankful that, much like you, I need people. I'm thankful that my life can be really messy, and so can yours. But I'm so glad that I have accepted the grace that allows me to delight in the mess. That sharing cups of coffee over vulnerability is totally worth the mess that comes with listening. I'm thankful that Jesus provides the grace that it takes to really engage people because it's through authenticity that we find unconditional love.
