Small town living brings a few things into acute focus:
If you want it, you may have to drive to get it (Starbucks and real movie popcorn).
I need to fly out of where? How far is that?
Watch your introductions--I once introduced sisters to each other.Because yes, there are serious crossovers in relationships that one is wise to learn, which brings me to the greatest small town challenge of all:
How to outlast the tears in the fabric of community and render God-healing.My hairdresser began as my sister-in-law and my friend. When she became my ex-sister-in-law, we had a choice about friend.
Seriously, WWJD? It's hard to defend living in a Cold War with someone when you both know Christ.
We intentionally stayed warm toward each other while the pieces fell around us.
In a small town, the person with whom you have a falling out (great Southern term) will likely be the person you would normally choose to render some kind of service. You find yourself mad at the plumber, the doctor, the restaurateur, the gym instructor.
The plus in small towns done well is that a family atmosphere prevails; the minus in small towns done well is that all families argue and blow up from time to time.
Do families repair the tear in the fabric of their household community? Yes, because love trumps the argument.
We have to be that intentional with each tear in the community made of different homes. We don't have license to stay mad just because we do not go home to the person with whom we are angry.
So how do we find the redo for the relationship?
Ask God for help. He's standing by, hoping to be asked, as we saw in James 1 (Nov 20th post).
Be determined that you won't settle for less than full restoration, no matter how long it takes.
Forgive before you are forgiven. Extend compassion you might not yet feel.
Keep the matter close, involving as few people as absolutely necessary.Someday, God will ask why we stayed mad at that person in his extended family. He'll wonder why we didn't use the Jesus skills we were supposed to be honing while here on earth.
WWWS: What Will We Say?
Now that's a face-to-face I do not want to have.
Thanks, Linda, for sharing warm through our Cold War. It was my learning ground for gracious, God-tempered, small town living.
WWJD: What Would Jesus Do?
Tomorrow: The Local Church as Family: Seeds of Strength.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
