Tess Faust

A Story of Showing Up in Community

Community is one of those words we hear often in the church. We know it’s important. We know we need it. But many of us quietly wonder, What is it actually supposed to look like?

This week, Tess Faust shared how moving to the Rogue Valley left her and Chris feeling deeply lonely. They longed for meaningful relationships and, like many of us, hoped to quickly find “their people.” But over time, Jesus gently reshaped their expectations of what community really is.

Community wasn’t about finding perfect friendships overnight. It was about faithfully showing up. It was learning to receive help when they needed it, offering help when they had something to give, and discovering that healthy community is built through ordinary acts of vulnerability, generosity, and consistency.

One of the most beautiful moments in Tess’s story came as she described walking through a miscarriage. She simply let the people around her know what had happened and allowed herself to receive care for a season. Later, when her strength returned, she found joy in caring for others in return—bringing meals, opening her life, and becoming part of the same community that had once carried her.

She also shared how Jesus has been inviting her and Chris into deeper honesty—not only with one another but with trusted friends. From confessing struggles to talking openly about finances and shared goals, they’ve discovered that bringing hidden things into the light removes their power.

As Tess put it: “In the spaces we want to hide, there’s so much less power when they’re visible.”

As we continue practicing solitude this month, may we also remember that solitude always leads us back into community. Jesus meets us in the quiet so that we can return to one another with greater honesty, humility, and love.