Belonging

we belong together. AWM

“Hi! How are you? I miss you. I’ve been thinking of you” said my friend on her audio message. It’s been several months since we spoke with one another and more than 6 weeks since we last texted. Time and distance can play tricks with my mind, mistaking a lack of communication with a lack of connection. And sometimes presuming a lack of care. Her simple message redirected the meandering of my soul and over-flowed my heart, setting my feet on solid ground of belonging…I was actively reminded in that moment that I am loved.

As I sit in my chair this morning, gently hugged by the comfort of my room, I am contemplating the assurance that I am loved. I belong. To my family. To community. To the Being much greater than myself. I belong to God, Creator of life and breath who sustains me and all creation as an outpouring of love and desire for community. I belong to myself in all my joys, sorrows, gifts, and shadows. I belong with my friend thousands of miles across the sea, my family, my community in all our joys, sorrows, gifts, and shadows – with friends far and wide and close to heart. When I forget this truth, I become lonely and tend to isolate myself. When I forget my belonging, I can forget to care for others and let them know how often I think of them and that they belong too.

So friends, HI! How are you? I miss you. I’ve been thinking of you. Really I have. I know it has been some months since I’ve sat with you and I’ve missed these moments. I am grateful for reminders from some of you that you miss this time, too. I believe belonging is the greatest and most healing gift we can give one another. We are born to be in community, in relationship.  May you be grounded in this moment with deep knowing that you belong. I invite you to pause for a moment and take a deep breath, and be grateful for it. Then breathe in a memory of feeling wholly loved. Dwell there long enough to absorb it, to be filled with the assurance that you are beloved. Then before moving on, perhaps ask who might you remind today that they belong too.

With much love and gratitude to be in this together…