Last night we sat around the dinner table with friends I’m sure we’ve known forever. They are, by now, heart family. Do you have friends like that – you’ve walked alongside each other though the dark of the deepest valleys and ran with them into places of celebration.
Reminiscing our p
ast, reflecting on a lifetime of relationship, reminded me of the verse in Galatians 6: 2 that says, Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
We’ve all gotten older. Forty five years puts thousands of miles of wear and tear on our physical bodies, but in our spirits we are still optimistic about our future. I realized while sitting around that table talking about where we’ve been and how we got to this place – still able to encourage one another – our strength and character come not from ourselves but from our faith in God.
It can beat us up, throw us into chaos … we are forced to play in the rain … and even though we love the sunshine, even that can cause overwhelming heat.
Life is like that. We don’t know what we will open our eyes to tomorrow. We know what we expect, pray for what we want, anticipate that our plans will succeed, but we have to be prepared for when life doesn’t make sense.
Last week in my quiet time I read Psalm 23 in several translations. One of my favorite parts says,
“He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.”
We pray, we plan, we practice – for this life, through all of its uncertainty. In all that praying, planning, and practicing, what really makes a difference is entrusting all that we are and all that we hope for to a certain God. Hebrews 3:14 says, “For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ.”
We walk by Faith , not by Sight. Gathering around with friends to share what is good in our lives is today, something to be thankful for.
Lynn, we might know each other only from online, but we are friends and I’m glad we are. We see these friends only a few times a year and it used to be only once a year – but we sure enjoy our relationship. It’s a wonderful blend of personalities, experiences, surrounded by genuine love.