Friends and Seasons

You know how they say there are different seasons of our lives? And some people are only in our lives for a season. Well, I don't like that very much. It's one of the reasons (one among many) that I'm going to love heaven. No more good-byes. No one that will only be in our lives for a season.

I'm not feeling very well today, and there is supper that needs cooking, a tired, hungry husband who would appreciate the aforementioned supper, a little boy that needs tickled, and a teenager somewhere that I'm sure has been saving up some sass just for me. So, I will try to be brief. Also, as an added bonus, it is a chilly, rainy day. Now I know some of you out there love you a good rainy day. I am not really a fan...unless of course I am allowed to spend it in my bed under the covers with a good book, which is really where I wanted to be all day today. But, I wasn't. I was at work...so I didn't love the rainy day. Anyway, my mood is a little cloudy. Sorry about that.

On my mind today are those friends in my life who have been so dear to me...but only stayed for a season. As far as friends go, Tim and I are quite blessed with some pretty amazing people. We live in the town where we grew up and our children attend the school where we went as children. I even work at my childhood school, alongside my childhood teachers. We love our church family and love to spend Saturday evening and Sunday morning with them. We have friends that have been in our lives since we were twelve (and...even younger than that!). Friends that have supported us through the losses we've endured...through my mother's illness...who support us in our efforts to serve through our ministry...friends who laugh and cry and pray with us. I have friends to golf with, talk with, reminisce with, and lunch and shop with. Some friends...special, dear friends walked with us through the valley of the shadow of death (more than once). And I mean walked with!

Some friends just get you...you know what I mean? It's so great to connect...to find people who know you (flaws included) and love you anyway. Friends you can just "be" with...no effort, no facade...just be. We all need a place where we are just loved and accepted. No strings attached. I have had a few friends like that. And recently...one of my favorite lunching shopping, being-"me"-with friends has moved on to a new season. It is a mutual drifting as we are going separate ways, but I am not a fan of this moving on. It breaks my heart that we change and tear away from relationships. I like the never say good-bye part of heaven. On my mind today are several sweet friends who spent much time walking through various journeys with me, but who are in another season now. I miss them.

Lately, I have less time and interest in the lunching/shopping stuff. (Not that I've spent an overabundance of time doing these things before.) But I find myself kind of nestling in with my family and focusing more on the needs before me. I want to enjoy life...and I am a huge fan of fun! But, I also have appreciated something in blogland that I haven't found much in real life friendships (although there are a few dear friends who have been supportive - and you know who you are! Thank you!). In blogland, I have found some who are really focused on reaching out to comfort grieving families or to share the love of Jesus. While many encourage and support us, and we are so grateful, not many in my life are burdened or understand the passionate desire in my heart for Sufficient Grace Ministries. That's O.K....I understand that. God lays different things on our hearts. It isn't something I can really share and have someone understand.

Until now. I am so thankful for blog friends I have met who share the desire to reach out to others and share the comfort that God has given them as they have walked through various trials. Hearts that are burdened to pray for grieving mothers and to offer them hope. I am blessed and encouraged daily by so many of you. And while my heart breaks for the friendships whose seasons have ended in my life...I rejoice at the new friendships I have been blessed with...the bond of connection that I feel with some I have never met. What a beautiful gift. Thank you for your part in that. Thank you for making this path a little less lonely. A lot less lonely.

Love to all...