“The door closed quietly, and Jacquie sunk onto one of the two bistro chairs crowded into the corner around a tiny table. She fingered the vase of pink peonies. They usually brought a twinge of joy, no matter how she felt. Max, the florist, always brought her a few clippings at the end of the week. Fresh flowers. Who gets fresh flowers every week? Still, her heart felt heavy.” ~Shaded Goodness
Something as simple as bringing flowers illustrates the loving power of community. In Shaded Goodness, the Bay Town community reaches out to Jacque in creative ways. A single mom, working two jobs to support herself and her daughter, with no college education and dropping out of high school at sixteen, she needed help. Although pride kept her from receiving it in monetary ways, the Bay Town community found other avenues of support and encouragement.
Community Reveals God’s Love
The members of the local church pastored by Desmond Brooks are the heart of the Bay Town community. The characters in Shaded Goodness who attend Bay Town Community Church contribute to the community through genuine love and kindness. In writing romantic suspense, I have plenty of opportunities to craft difficulties and full-blown tragedies. When people are at their lowest point, met needs often turn them to God. In the series, a running theme manifests as the community reveals God’s love to those who are hurting.
Romans 12:10
When one member of the church is facing unsurmountable odds, the church rallies. Not necessarily in an organized fashion, but each individual with a heart after God gives liberally in their own way. Jacque often needs encouragement and friendly support, although she would never admit it. Yet, it’s through people like Max, the florist, Melanie, the pastor’s wife, and many others who continually lift Jacque up, often without her realizing it. Mickey, Jacque’s ex-husband, does likewise. Praying over her and bathing her in God’s love. As a reformed addict, Mickey, through the gracious love of Christ and Christian Rehab, also pours back into the community to broken men who need Christ’s hope of salvation.
In countless ways over the years, I’ve seen God’s love displayed through the actions of church members. It’s why I write a strong church bond in the Bay Town Community. My husband pastored a church for twenty-seven years, and our church community was overwhelmingly generous, pouring out to one another and beyond. It’s no wonder that the Bible teaches the importance of church community for God to display His glory.
Community is Grounded in the Bible
“Entering the living room, he sighed. Except for the empty ice cream bowls scattered about, no residents lingered. The four-bedroom house accommodated six men plus Mickey, and most weren’t interested in God. Unlike other faith-based rehabs, The Anchor didn’t require attendance at weekly Bible study. Only Sunday Services.
“Well, it looks like you and me, brother,” Mickey said.
“Sweet. Let’s get to it.” Buzz plopped down and picked up his Bible from the coffee table.” – Shaded Goodness
In almost every book in the Bay Town Series, I write in a Bible Study Community. Since my readers are primarily women, the group is most often a ladies’ study. I wavered a bit and wrote a scene with Mickey attempting a men’s study in the rehab group. Of course, the suspense element forced me to derail that! But his one-on-one studies with men were of equal value as a Bible Study Community.
Ever since I became a Christian, I’ve always been part of Bible Study. Women’s Study, Couples Study, Group Study, and always Family Bible Study. I’ve taught my kids that it’s one of the foundational tenets that connect us to God and keep us there. Love God, attend church, make time for private devotionals and prayer, and study the Bible in a group led by solid biblical leadership.
I’ve crafted all these essential anchors in my stories. Jacque and Mickey both lament not starting their lives out that way when they were just teenagers.
Who is your Community?
Just a question for you to answer below! But seriously, I hope you have a church home, attend a Bible study, and spend time alone with God each day. If you’re new in your faith or struggling wherever you’re at, please click below and read some encouraging blog posts that I wrote about Roxanne’s struggle in Ransomed Peace. She had every reason to stay away from God, but through His persistent love and the kindness of Bay Town Community, she reconnected with Jesus and Bay Town.
https://www.kathleenjrobison.com/?s=Ransomed+Peace
Jesus says, ‘If you love me, you will obey my commandments.’ If you love me, you will obey my teaching. The more I spend time alone with Him, the more I learn from Godly teaching on Sunday morning and my Bible Study group, and the more I love Him.
I’m reminded of His great sacrifice on my behalf! I’m so totally undeserving of His love and gift of eternal life, yet I’m humbled that He chose me. How can I not love Him with my whole heart, mind, and strength? If the Lord’s been knocking at the door to your heart, won’t you let Him in? He loves you so. Let Him be your community first and foremost!
Thanks for reading. More interesting facts about Bay Town are coming soon. Please comment below and enter the giveaway for a signed copy of Shaded Goodness and a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Here’s the link to enter: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f888f7c029/?
Have a blessed day and dig into God’s Word!