Truth (little t) can be found in lots of places. God can infuse truth about life and humanity into secular music, into popular novels and movies and, yes, even into advertising. A few years ago during tax season, H&R Block cleverly employed the slogan, “We’ve got people. Do you?” That’s sound marketing as they compete with software packages that enable people to do their own taxes at home. Everyone’s afraid of the IRS so they play on the fact that people want somebody to have their backs if the IRS comes callin’. But it’s also truth about humanity.

Everywhere I’ve turned today I have been confronted with the truth that people need people. We all want someone to have our backs. But we don’t all have people. And not all of us even agree that we need our own posse, but we do.

And I’m not necessarily crazy about the truth of that, honestly. People can be problematic and worrisome, and I genuinely struggle with having enough patience and energy for my children when they are particularly needy, so needy adults generally send me over the edge. And that is wrong. Jesus’ priority is people; my priority should be people.

And the rest of the story is that God showers abundant blessings on my life through those He has blessed me with. I have love from people who know what’s wrong with me and love me still. As cantankerous and moody and pointy as I can be at times – they love me still. As problematic, worrisome, and needy as I can be at times – they love me still. I’m grateful for my people, and I will continue to pray for a heart that reflects His.

I’ve been in places where I didn’t have close friends – just many acquaintances, and that is hard.  More than hard.  But I personally believe that God honors prayers from His children who are hungry for community. And when opportunities arise, we have to put ourselves out there.

People are strange and often hard to figure, but roll with it and see what God has in store.

Do you have people?  What is your biggest obstacle to pursuing real deal community in your life?

Well, like I was saying, gym folk are funny. When I go to the gym, I go to get sweaty and stinky, and I dress accordingly. I do not shower to go to the gym. I do not shave to go to the gym. I do not wear coordinating clothes to the gym. Most of the time people who know me at the gym, do not recognize me outside of the gym. That’s just my deal; I don’t have time, money, or desire to be fashionable and fabulous at the gym. I go to the gym to work hard in hopes of looking fabulous outside of the gym.

Sometimes I workout before lunch, and during that time I mostly see other moms and retired people. We are a moderately serious crowd with a few hard core folks sprinkled in. During the afternoon, there’s a relaxed crowd until 5:30. At that point the highly motivated and very muscled people arrive along with the beautiful people, who exert more energy flirting than exercising. That time slot stresses me out a bit. The weekend is saved for the two ends of the spectrum: the slackers and the psychos.

Don’t get mad, I’m just havin’ fun with some generalizations…

I see people run at breakneck speeds wearing trashbags. I see people who never sweat. I see people jack their treadmills on such a high incline that I expect them to come rolling off the back at any minute and those whose belt is barely moving. I see people who are there every time I go and lots of unfamiliar faces too. I see people wearing jeans to workout and some who wear almost nothing. I see people who are so drenched in sweat that they look like they’ve come in from a rain storm and those whose make-up has never smeared and hair has never been displaced. It takes all kinds, I guess.

But I am struck by truth. You get out what you put in. Period. How are you seeing this play out in your own life right now – either positively or negatively? Not necessarily with regard to fitness, but in any area.