The bride and groom tied the knot during their vows. With a strand of rope in each hand, they twisted and wove their strands into a fisherman’s knot, symbolizing the joining of their lives together. Though the fisherman’s knot is among the easiest to tie, it remains one of the strongest. Their marriage vows were spoken yesterday; with great joy, we pronounced them husband and wife. This fisherman’s knot will not only be displayed in their new home but, with God’s grace, will be evidenced in their marriage.

“It’s better to have a partner than go it alone. Share the work, share the wealth. And if one falls down, the other helps, but if there’s no one to help, tough! Two in a bed warm each other. Alone, you shiver all night. By yourself you’re unprotected. With a friend you can face the worst. Can you round up a third? A three-strand rope isn’t easily snapped.” [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 The Message]

We were built for being in relationship. Even the Trinity represents the love of the Three working together as Divine Community. They yield to one another to fulfill the entirety of Father God’s purpose. How can we manage otherwise?

Sharing life together with a partner, sharing work together with others, sharing wealth [what substance we have], and helping someone who’s fallen to get back up…this is community.

Solomon explains that ‘going it alone’ leaves us unprotected. Friends help us face the worst that life can throw us. For us it was and remains: phone calls, cards, text messages, long and warm hugs, kind words [even those that fail at addressing the pain], meals, flowers ~ countless reflections of how much our son blessed others during his 43 years of life ~ have wrapped our hearts in warmth. Without it, we would have ‘shivered all night.’ Community has taken on a very deep meaning; without it, life is much tougher.

Lesson learned: Tie the knot with those God places in your life for the purpose of community.