I didn’t end up writing last night, and my guilt lasted far less time than it might have under different circumstances. I had the chance to FaceTime with a dear, dear friend and couldn’t pass it up. As the clock ticked on late into the night, I knew I was less and less likely to get to writing, but our conversation was timely and filling in way my heart needed so much…

The night before last, I sat under the teaching of a very wise and seasoned couple who shared on practices for living in an anxious age. They highlighted four priorities, including reading Scripture, prayer, singing and friendship. I loved hearing their stories about the ways that God has moved through friendship in their lives over time–especially the time when reaching out to two close friends led to the start of a men’s group that began in 1985 and still meets (weekly) to this day. It was so good to be reminded that it’s good and natural not only to need friendship, but to crave it.

On the heels of this teaching, the chance for me to connect with my friend was perfect. For multiple reasons and as a result of hard circumstances over the past year and some months, she and I have been challenged by the distance between our opportunities to talk at length–something we’ve learned to weather reasonably well, but also a scenario we would never wish. We used to see each other multiple times a week, and our continued and regular exchanges for many years led to a friendship that feels more like family. Knowing each other so well and walking through so much life together over the past number of years means our connection is strong. This is work that God has done in our friendship and not something we could just achieve on our own. There are many times when either of us feels a sense of what to pray for the other without talking, or when we both send a message within minutes of the other after a day or two without touching base. There’s no great way to summarize the beauty that this adds to life, but it’s certainly true that our friendship enhances our spiritual walks just as much as it does other aspects in the day to day.

Yesterday came on the heels of an emotional 24 hours for me, and having nearly five hours to catch up with someone who knows me so well was a balm. We always know when we’re overdue to connect (we feel that pretty frequently in this season), but when we do get the chance to share and catch up, there is a lightness in my heart and spirit that doesn’t just arrive on its own. Into the early hours of the morning this morning, I didn’t run out of steam or feel too irresponsible for not getting to bed while still growing this babe…more so, I felt peace wash over me and my sense of self return in a way I really needed. This depth of friendship is a gift I’d hate for either of us to miss, and it’s always been more than worth the effort and intentionality to stay in tune with each other and to find the time we’re able to keep lines of communication open.

It’ll be ten years next year since we first met, and God has done a LOT of growing and shaping in each of our lives over all that time. We’re neither of us the same people that we were so long ago, and I can say that’s in part because of the pruning and accountability that He has allowed through the gift of our friendship. The practice of engaging for the long haul has meant that in these recent years of new territory there was plenty to hang our hats on. Even now, when we see each other face to face so much less than before, it’s a joy to walk this journey of motherhood, family, home life, beauty, hardship, refinement and growth together. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Just so grateful for the gifts I don’t deserve, but that God lavishes anyway because He is a good, good Father.

MM