Why we sit in circles

            I’ve talked about them enough on this blog, the point of introduction is not needed. I come from a home net of joy living, Jesus following, people loving people who have committed to the long haul with each other. When new people hang out with us- we do everything to give them the warmest welcome, as we know this place is a gift for sharing and not for keeping. I love people’s remarks about this little tribe of friends, because it makes my heart explode with gratitude and unbelief on how I get to be a part of such a life.

            A few people in recent years have had the same response to our people after a night of hanging out. This response has made me key into details about the whys and the how’s of our philosophy on friendship. The response has been something on the line of “Ya’ll just sit around in circles and talk. For hours. In a circle.” Although the first inclination is to explain that we are not a cult and we are actually pretty fun people, this comment is completely the truth about us.

            We sit in circles so that we can face each other. We can stare longingly into the journey that we each are on, and tell stories to make sense of how all our journeys are part of the bigger Journey. We sit in circles so no one is left out, no one has a bad seat in the house, so that no one can’t be heard. We sit in circles because every single one of our voices, new or old friends, are part of the Story- and we are all about telling our stories.

            Recently, we were all gathered at our main hub house after dinner to sit by the fire and soak up being under one roof. Of course, I was being aware of the circle making and everyone’s conversations. At one point in the night, I realized it was mostly side conversations brewing, as a circle in the corner was forming. Then others joined, then the rest joined, as mostly everyone was inched into a tiny circle in the corner. At an engagement party a few months ago, the same thing happened. Everyone in a circle, in chairs, on the floor, piled on the couch. No matter what, if its us, there is going to be a circle.

            What is profound about this is how hard we try to create meaning in lives. We host big events, make dinners, plan outings to see different places, take trips together, all sorts of things that are supposed to cause meaning. But, as much as we try to manage and manipulate the moment into something sacred, the most sacred is what happens when we aren’t trying. The sacred is what happens when we realize everything is sacred- and sitting in a circle telling stories, laughing at old stories, and walking through the joy and the hard of life is just as sacred as throwing a formal dinner party. If anything, it’s more.

            I am so thankful that we serve a God who decided to surround us with people who were dedicated to helping us see how important these friendships were and are. I am so thankful we know a God who has made circles around us, closely, weaving us into each other’s circles. I am so thankful that we all got thrown from the net into new circles, only to bring our circles together. I am the most thankful that the circle knows no end, that no matter the circumstance, the marriages, the international dreams, the law schools and the new jobs, our net won’t give up on the dream of the circle. And, with that, the long haul means doing it for eternity, and oh thank heavens there is no end to that circle either.