{"id":1843,"date":"2022-05-23T02:55:38","date_gmt":"2022-05-23T06:55:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/?p=1843"},"modified":"2022-05-25T12:16:48","modified_gmt":"2022-05-25T16:16:48","slug":"rebuilding-community-one-story-at-a-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/05\/23\/rebuilding-community-one-story-at-a-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Rebuilding community one story at a time."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Have you ever met a person and within a few minutes of conversing with this person you find out you are kindred spirit<\/em>? The Oxford Dictionary defines kindred spirit <\/em>as a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to ones own. One may also define kindred spirit <\/em>as being like-minded or soul- minded with a person that you share mutual experiences and have similar connections. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well I want to share a neat story of how I was blessed by a new coworker at my job. Initially when I walked into the room I could tell there was a slight sense of nervousness so I quickly wanted to address the \u201celephant\u201d in the room. Once introductions were done and this young lady realized I don\u2019t bite, the atmosphere was a lot more comfortable and calming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u2019t recall what started our conversation but I bless God for whatever started it. Over the next 11 hours I had the most God-filled, spirit led, soul gratifying, mind boggling, inspiring conversation I have ever had with what society would call a complete stranger. But in faith we know there is no such thing as a stranger, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s amazing how God will place people in your life right when you need them the most. We were equally blessed by this encounter and we both felt God\u2019s presence in the room. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scripture tells us that it is important to fellowship with others. In a sense we are designed to support one another and our needs are often met by the support and love of our community. Community isn\u2019t just about your immediate neighbors, those on surrounding or boarding streets but community includes persons we share interests, goals, etc. with. It is a feeling of fellowship with other people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While talking we discovered we had many similarities. We have traveled similar paths and we both enjoy writing. This young lady is gifted and one of her talents is writing books. I was so moved by her kind spirit and humbled heart that I immediately began praying over her writing process that God would richly bless her and help her focus so He would be praised through publishing her work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shared with her that I too had a desire to one day write a book but was quite stagnant in the process and had been so busy and had many distractions for the last three weeks that I couldn\u2019t even write my motivational texts like I normally would. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happened next literally blew my mind!!!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We shared our story with one another and in that moment I felt the presence of God. The peace that was in that room was unimaginable. I had never felt so open and transparent with someone I knew nothing about. To be honest I\u2019ve never had the type of Godly conversation we had in a work setting and I\u2019ve definitely never disclosed anything remotely close to someone I supervised. I didn\u2019t see her as a subordinate, I didn\u2019t see her as a stranger; I saw her as the beautiful child of God she is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her story gave me so much hope. It inspired me to keep fighting, to keep sharing, to keep writing, and to allow God to work in and through me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tears I cried on Saturday and Sunday evening are tears I will never forget for as long as I shall live!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With today\u2019s message I want to encourage those reading to share your story with the person God brings into your life. You\u2019ll know at the very moment that God will use your story to bless others. He will direct your path if you listen to His voice. God wants us to spread His love and tell them about His Good News. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As my coworker said, you may be sitting on someone\u2019s healing<\/em>, by not sharing your story and letting His light shine through you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My prayer is this message will give you the courage and strength to spread love. Someone out there may be feeling helpless and hopeless, they may not see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sharing your story may be the very thing that turns their sorrow into joy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Help bridge the gap. Help connect the dots. Help spread love. Help me to rebuild our community, one story at a time! <\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever met a person and within a few minutes of conversing with this person you find out you are kindred spirit? The Oxford Dictionary defines kindred spirit as a person whose interests or attitudes are similar to ones… Read moreRebuilding community one story at a time.<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11,1],"tags":[135],"class_list":["post-1843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-listening-to-god","category-uncategorized","tag-sharingiscaring","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":2217,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/12\/12\/lamenting-at-a-blue-christmas\/","url_meta":{"origin":1843,"position":0},"title":"Lamenting at a Blue Christmas.","author":"Whitnee","date":"December 12, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"While sitting in Sunday school the spirit was on the loose! Such rich discussions are always brought up in Sunday school and it is one of many highlights that enhance my Sunday worship experience. 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You ever been in an altercation when you thought it was over so you turned your back to walk\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Encouragement"","block_context":{"text":"Encouragement","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/parenting\/encouragement\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_5459-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_5459-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_5459-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/img_5459-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1400,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2021\/01\/18\/searching-for-the-help-in-the-dark\/","url_meta":{"origin":1843,"position":2},"title":"Searching for \u201cThe Help\u201d in the dark.","author":"Whitnee","date":"January 18, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Rico and I had just come back from a romantic dinner. Oh how I reminisce over the laughs, the smiles, the conversation, the batting of the eyes, and the charm of his face. We don\u2019t get to have date nights but once every six months or sometimes it seems longer\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Life Issues"","block_context":{"text":"Life Issues","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/life-issues\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/img_3159.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":1443,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2021\/02\/08\/search-me-lord\/","url_meta":{"origin":1843,"position":3},"title":"Search me Lord. (Written version)","author":"Whitnee","date":"February 8, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Growing up I was very closed minded. I thought every household consisted of a mom and dad and children. I thought every family sat at the table and ate dinner together. I thought every family loved one another. I even thought shows like Family Matters, The Cosby Show, and the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Identity"","block_context":{"text":"Identity","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/identity\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/img_2260.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/img_2260.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/img_2260.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/img_2260.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/img_2260.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2552,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2025\/01\/14\/serving-god-together-in-2025\/","url_meta":{"origin":1843,"position":4},"title":"Serving God together in 2025.","author":"Whitnee","date":"January 14, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Todays Scripture reference is Acts 16:5-10 NKJV On this past Sunday my Pastor spoke about Paul\u2019s second missionary journey. With God\u2019s assistance over the next few Sundays, Pastor Steven plans to go in depth about Paul\u2019s three missionary journeys. As he preached there were several questions asked\/ or statements made\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Encouragement"","block_context":{"text":"Encouragement","link":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/category\/parenting\/encouragement\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/image-1.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2190,"url":"https:\/\/inspirationallaroundme.org\/index.php\/2022\/11\/09\/did-you-get-your-invitation\/","url_meta":{"origin":1843,"position":5},"title":"Did you get your invitation?","author":"Whitnee","date":"November 9, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded. 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