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By Betsy Ore Glass

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

     a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
     a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
     a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

– Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

All we have to do is look around, be observant and we will notice a sense of community is ever present. People helping people. Community is defined as finding fellowship with another. To find oneself in need is hard. It can feel devastating if it is happening to you. But when God sends people to come along side of us to lend a helping hand, to bolster us up, it means the world! It gives hope when things seem hopeless. We can be God’s hands here on earth. To share what we have with others. To shelter those with no shelter. To be encouragers and helpers even when we have needs of our own.

This past week I helped out a friend at her florist shop. While we were working on a wedding together and thinking of the new beginnings for the blissful couple and the celebration to follow, two separate families came in to plan funerals for their loved ones. Later, two sweet ladies came in for flowers for their sick friend to hopefully bring her some joy. Followed by a young person full of anticipation who came to pick up a corsage for the homecoming dance. Life is happening all around us. Everyone is in a different season. Some experiencing wonderful joy or excitement and others going through life’s most difficult times. To be compassionate to each person’s need is Christ-like. Wherever we find ourselves, God calls us to be a part of His Community to serve those He has brought in our path. We can share joy or offer tender comfort. God gives us the wisdom to know what to do to meet the need. Mother Teresa said, “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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