Community

The Story Behind the Poem

If you’ve ever been involved in a small group, one that was committed to each other on a weekly basis, then you know that groups go in phases. We’ve been in a small group (our church calls them Life Groups) since October 2008 and my! have we experienced all these phases firsthand! But I hope to encourage you. Even when it doesn’t seem worthwhile, it is. For our sanctification, growth, and building up. It is important to be deeply connected and committed to individuals, who, while they will always be different, have a like-minded goal. (For us, that goal is to be more like Christ.)

The Life Cycle of Community

by Sarah Steele
March 2016

Community laughs
When it first comes to pass
The people just meet
Don’t wish to step on feet
Every joke is hilarious
Every statement is true
Community laughs when
Community is new

Community loves
As a gift from above
Newfound life friends
Good times never end
Promises to be there
When life grows glum
Community loves
No matter what will come

Community tolerates
Finds things to debate
Grows thicker skin
So hurt won’t sink in
Small things that were amusing
Are now quite annoying
Community tolerates
What it once was enjoying

Community hurts
Blame comes out in blurts
All words stuffed in storage
Are fair game to forage
It’s angry and stewing
A pot full of pain
Community hurts
And sees nothing to gain

So

Community leaves
As each one perceives
The others’ assaults
Bear the brunt of the fault
They all lick their wounds
With their real friends in caves
Community leaves
In its place a deep grave

But sometimes

Community forgives
Whispers its hope to live
Remembers that all
Were part of its fall
It takes the first one
To confess their wrongdoing
Community forgives
When its members start ruing

And then

Community heals
In soft-spoken appeals
Learning to embrace
Grievances with grace
A longer, harder road
Than they once had assumed
Community heals
And then community blooms

Life Group 2011

Life Group 2014