Last weekend, I had the privilege of returning to St. Peter Armenian Church in Watervliet, a place that holds a special place in my heart. Two and half years ago, after my car accident, God surrounded me with a community that became my lifeline. People like Der Stepanos, Yeretsguin Paulette, Dr. Ara Kayayan, and the parishioners at St. Peter's reached out with open arms. They stood by me, prayed for me, and lifted me up when I needed it the most.
And last Saturday, as I went up on that lift to bless the new cross on the church’s entranceway, I looked down and saw those familiar faces again. Faces of people who had supported me, prayed for me, and encouraged me when I was down. At that moment, something powerful struck me. In that moment, something powerful struck me. It felt as if God was showing me, once again, the beauty and strength of community, reminding me how these people had lifted me through those difficult times.
Friends, we often think we have to handle everything on our own, to be strong, to stand tall, to push through. But the truth is, God designed us to need one another. Over and over, the Bible tells us to “love one another,” “encourage one another,” “serve one another,” “comfort one another.” God knew that we couldn’t walk this journey alone. He knew we needed the “one another's” around us.
I believe that’s the beauty of the church. The church is more than just a building or a place where we gather once a week. The church is a community, a family. It’s where we come together to support each other, to lift each other up, to encourage each other, and to be reminded that we’re not alone.
So, let’s be that community for one another. Let’s reach out with open arms, with kind words, with loving hearts. Let’s be the ones who lift each other up, who pray for one another, who stand beside each other through every storm. And as we do, we will experience the fullness of God’s love in our lives, the love that flows through each of us and brings us together as one body, one family, one church.
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