The Importance of Community
"I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can." - George Bernard Shaw
Community. It's what F/A Brotherhood is. It could be your local support group. It's your local adoption ministry at a church. It's your small group. Whatever it looks like, it is vital.
Men, if I can be blunt, we need community. Especially community that understands what we are walking through day in and day out or at least people who can sympathize with us. We cannot walk this life alone.
Why is community so important?
We Can't Do It Alone. I know I can't. I don't have all of the answers. Nobody does. One thing is for certain when it comes to foster care and adoption - we need each other. Especially us men. Traditionally, men don't thrive in community. We are fixers. Personal DIYers of life. Traditionally, we do not ask for help. Nor ask for directions. It's just not in our DNA. But this path that we've chosen is one not easily traveled independently. We need community.
Brotherhood. We are called F/A Brotherhood for a reason. While community comes in different forms, a brotherhood is made up of men who lock arms with one another and fight to equip and encourage one another while we engage with each other, our families, and our communities. While books, blogs (yes, I know. This is counter intuitive) and our wives can be good sounding boards, men need men. Iron sharpens iron. Brotherhood is essential. Community is essential.
Accountability. Accountability is an important part of community. We want to be a safe space for you. We want you to open up. And we want to walk alongside you as brothers. My hope in starting this group is that when someone is struggling with a certain situation, that other brothers step up and stand by them. That they check in with them on a regular basis. And that they hold each other accountable in a loving and respectable way. When we are kept accountable, we thrive. We head in the right direction and we don't waver.
Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do much." Let's let her words ring true with each other and those around us in our local foster care and adoption communities. I'm thankful for each and every one of you. Let's keep this ball rolling...together.