Cars and trucks zoomed past and I felt quite alone. I was waiting in my car, on the shoulder of the road. My right front tire was very flat. When I called Triple A road service, a recorded voice told me that I was being sent a text message. The text told me to put my information in on a website—it was the fastest way to get service, or so the voice said.
After an hour I called again, this time determined to talk to a real person. Eventually I reached someone who acknowledged my request. She misunderstood my location, and when at last a technician called, he decided that another technician was closer. After two hours I had help.
Soon I was back on the road, on my way to the Festival of Faith and Writing. In 2020 and 2022 the Festival was canceled. I had missed this gathering of writers and readers.
It was good to be back! At the sessions, on the shuttle bus, during my lunch circle I was having conversations with people that had similar interests. It warmed my heart.
God has designed us for community.
We need other people in our life. Recently I have been studying the epistle of Thessalonians. Paul begins his letter with encouragement for the gathering of believers.
We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:2
In his letter to the Colossians, he writes: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15
The Apostle Paul has a good message for our time. We need the church.
Todays prompt for Five Minute Friday is: LONELY You can find the community of writers and read other posts here. I am linking with Grace & Truth and Sweet Tea and Friends.
Oh no, I had to wait on AAA for over an hour a few years ago. I’m so happy you got to attend the conference. And I agree we are made for community.
Thank you so very much for sharing this message with Sweet Tea & Friends April Link up dear friend.
Speaking and even chatting online with robots is so frustrating. It is so much simpler and faster when you can access a live person. I never understood the reasoning behind automation.
Glad you did eventually get help and were able to make it to the conference in time.
I taught a Sunday school lesson about community today, looking at what we have in common (identity) and sharing resources in common (Acts 2: 38 – 47) and how to strengthen community. I wish I’d read this yesterday – I could have added all-sorts of extra nuggets.
Perhaps another lesson?
the very fact that people experience loneliness is, in and of itself, proof that we are meant for tree community. FMF12
An excellent observation
Carol, what a frustrating experience! I know how you feel, while it may be efficient in some ways to have an automated answering system, I resent not speaking to a human, even if they do get the location wrong!
I didn’t know what to expect. In the first hour I spent time praying.
We need one another for encouragement and to spur one another on in life. May we all remain faithful to doing so. Blessings to you, Carol!
So glad God designed the church. So thankful to have like-minded brothers and sisters.
The church has been a blessing in my life. Thanks for visiting, Kathy!
Isn’t it frustrating when we can’t get to a “real person?” I’m glad you were able to get help and attend the conference. Connection is so encouraging!