mutuality

Our last Picnic in the Park of the season today, and the weather and turnout could not have been more beautiful.  One thing I was deeply reminded of today was the mutual sharing that happens in this park community.  Here's just a taste of this mutual sharing:

I shared a welcome, a Scripture, and a prayer within a large group of volunteers and guests toward the beginning of our time together.  Afterward, one of the regular attenders approached me and told me that the next time I pray, I should share that Jesus gives us life where there is death, Jesus gives us happiness in the sadness, and that Jesus gives us encouragement where there is discouragement.  I thanked John for sharing the word God had for him, and I invited him to share that prayer when we gather again.  We had more conversation about Jesus our provider, and I left the conversation feeling so encouraged in Christ as John shared from the heart about the difference Jesus makes in his life.  Mutuality.

Emma shared her testimony filled with hope and thanksgiving in Christ, and her Harvest church family shared their love for Emma through cheering her on, praying over her, loving on her and affirming her through the whole testimony.  Mutuality.

Orchard Hill Church and Harvest shared a meal and teaching and prayer in the park, and Seeds of Hope/Black Hawk Grundy Mental Health shared information to help raise awareness about domestic and sexual violence. They also shared about resources available in our community to help protect against sexual and domestic abuse and they had  fun crafts for the children in the park.  Partnership and mutuality.

Sharing together in such a way that the community offers Christ,  their stories, their gifts, their service to one another in mutual giving and receiving throughout the park.  That is the way of the Kingdom of God right there.