When I was a young girl, I was a Girl Scout. We had a song we sang, “Make new friends, but keep the old; One is silver and the other is gold.” Today I would like to talk to you about friendships. Whether old or new, these connections are to be treasured.
I have some dear dear friends that have been on this journey with me for 25 years. I got to spend time with both of them in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, only once did I remember to take a photo.
Ginger and I ♥
We have moved a few times over the last 32 years – changing states more than once. I remember how lonely I was when we moved to South Carolina in 2005. Relocating can be tough. It’s the silly little things, like finding a hairdresser and a dentist or going to Walmart and not recognizing anyone familiar. Now I know best how to pray for people when they relocate. But eventually God brought me friends in South Carolina and I still talk to some of them today and treasure them deeply.
When we came to Alabama/Georgia in 2019 I struggled all over again with loneliness and unfamiliarity. Then the stupid COVID happened. And I began to think it was just hopeless. At my age women have already found “their people”, 2020 isolated folks at a whole new level, and I was just destinated to have long distance relationships.
But God had friends for me here too. 😊
We landed back in Alabama September 1st and two of my Southern sisters drove over half an hour to take me to dinner for my birthday on September 2nd. This is love!!
Kathryn and Steph and me ♥
I am a hugger. I have zero personal space, and I just love to be close to people. My church in Columbus, GA is the perfect place for that! I get the best hugs. I told someone this past Sunday that I enjoy our travels and I very much enjoyed Zach and Sarah’s church in Pennsylvania. But there is something about coming back to my “home” church to have people happy to see me; wrap me in their arms and just love on me. It does my heart good!
Recently we were riding a trail in Columbus and I saw these two people up ahead standing next to each other and facing the edge of the trail. When they straightened out to proceed on the trail they were still quite a distance away but I recognized them and was so happy. It was Val and David from the YMCA Walking Club. I started calling their names!! We stopped and chatted, introduced Gary, and took a photo. Over the years we have become friends. Three of my Walking Club friends are in a group chat and I send them a link to my blog every week…they are my biggest fans! 😊
Val, David, Gary and me ♥
Friends. ♥
I watched my daughter last week take on two extra boys day after day to help a friend in need. She will babysit, make meals, bake cakes, give gifts. Sara knows how to be a good friend. I am so proud of her.
There are people all around you every day. People who may or may not need a friend. People who may or may not need a hug, a prayer, a babysitter, a meal. You never know until you make eye contact, start a conversation, and allow yourself to be a friend.
I have wonderful people in my life that I can text and I know they will pray for whatever I need. Some of them have been covering my family in prayer for decades and some of them I pray for four generations of their families.
But you know who my best friend is? JESUS. We hang out. I tell Him all the garbage no one else wants to hear. He catches all of my tears in a jar. He comforts me when I just can’t carry the load anymore. He tells me He delights in me. And He is whispering my name in the Father’s ear right now interceding for me.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13
We are not meant to be an island. We are not equipped to do this journey alone. Treasure your friends. Hug them, tell them you love them, pray for them.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
If you need a friend or need prayer, please let me know. The link below will send you to my email. ♥