Thank you to the friends who know I love them even though I don't often see them. Arlene's illness has reminded me again how strong the bonds between us are if we are indeed brothers and sisters in Christ. I have e mailed people I grew up with and literally haven't seen in over 15 years and gotten sweet e mails back like no time has passed. I've run in to people from "back then" and we hug and pick up where we left off, no love lost; literally.It has shown me that life and the pressures and schedules that get in the way of leisurely coffee klaches hold no power to isolate me. My friends love me at all times. And I, them. There is no distance of time or inconvenience that truly separate us at the heart.
I've gained a new understanding of the verse below. ALL TIMES. Even when we no longer sit across the aisle from one another in church. Although we used to share Sunday dinners and now we go to separate churches. Although I've changed and you've changed we are still friends. For all of time.
And now I hold the brother (and sister) born for adversity. I see now that indeed, God wove these precious people into each others lives for just such a moment. The time of pain, of cancer, of fear and need. We were born to step across the years it's been when last we spoke and there is no distance. Adversity only calls us back.
It is not with regret that I speak of the friends who I see rarely. It is simply that the life God has led us to has not stayed side by side. I'm quite all right with that. I celebrate the newer friends who sit across the aisle from me at church every Sunday, they are no less mine for life. In fact, the Mr. and I share every Monday evening with two of those lesser seniority friends. And they also stand beside Barry and Arlene with us, our circle ever widening. I'd not trade those recent additions to my life to regain the years gone. I take it all as my own.
So thank you, my friends. My brothers and sisters at the ready for the time of adversity. You remind me of who I was, who I am and who I might someday be. I look forward to eternity with you.
Truly, we are born to be friends for all time.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
8 comments:
good post ... i have found this SO true over the years ... and now i've added blog friends to the mix, especially since at times i felt like a "shut-in" because of leo's health ...
blessings to you!
What a beautiful post Sara and what truth lies in your words. I know the joy of rekindling old friendships and of making new. I marvel at the wisdom of God in putting us all together in His family. How wondrous are His ways and how blessed are we, to be called children of God.
I remember when you & Dean were married ... when Mac was dedicated ... Pastor Mitchell saying that your boys were meant for greatness because of the names you had given them. Seems so long ago and yet so near. God bless you. I dearly enjoy reading your postings.
Friends are Friends forever,
if the Lord's the Lord of them,
and a friend would not say never,
for the welcome never ends.
A lifetime's not too long, to live
as friends ~ MICHAEL W. SMITH
Thank you, Sara for helping me to
remember this!
remember the childhood song:
'Make new friends
but keep the old
some are silver
and the others gold?'
That just popped in my mind.
A friend is someone who dances with you in sunlight and walks with you in shadows (unknown)
A friend is someone who knows you but likes you anyway (annon.)
ha!!
now I'm all teary at work...
loveyou too.xom
amen...beautiful reminder that our true life is outside of space and time..it has no beginning and no end other than in Christ Himself...how can we ever be seperated from our brothers and sisters
I know that Barry and I both thank you and all of our new and old friends for praying for us and keeping up with us. Email is a wonderful friend re-igniter.
Because of email I got visits in the hospital from people we hadn't seen in years. Got flowers from others.
Cards from others.
Prayer from all. God is so good to us! Love you! STOMP! STOMP! STOMP!
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