I happy sighed as I slipped my arm into the mailbox. Real mail. Someone actually wrote our name with a pen, no automation involved. My friend, Laurie, was thinking of us. And it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if she sealed the invitation with a prayer and a smile.
Our friendship began with five kids between us and a decade later we’ve added six more. We’ve survived adoptions, births, complete health break downs, surgeries, special needs kids, rough marriage patches, depression, and bouts of laughter and tears that would mystify anyone else. We’ve both said, “You need professional help” and “I can’t believe we survived that.”
As I opened the envelope with her daughter’s graduation announcement, tears stung my eyes and I wondered just how many times I had prayed for her girl. I’m filled with sheer wonder, pride and gratitude to the Lord for the work He has done in helping her raise another child who loves the Lord. Really, truly loves Jesus.
Do you have a friendship like ours- seasoned with time, trials, and God’s faithfulness? Have you found this gift? You, the Mama rocking a new baby, the one whose car reeks because of a sippy cup you can’t find. You, the one who would like to get in the car and leave it all behind because this isn’t what you signed up for. The one who is homeschooling and the one who drives the carpool line. Sweet Mama, whose child is in the office for the second time this week, and the one whose kid is right now planning her valedictorian speech. Is there a woman who has linked arms with you?
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25 NIV
As I reflect on how we arrived in this sweet place of friendship, I find four things that I know have helped, and they find their roots in Hebrews 10.
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