Similarities

So...I have this friend. Wait...let me back up. One of my most favorite authors is Beth Moore. And one of my most favorite Beth Moore books is about David; it's called "A Man after God's own Heart". A quite significant portion of the book is about David's friendship with Jonathan...his rival's son. In this part of the book Beth Moore talks about two kinds of friendships...the kind that is knit together through the years and the kind that is knit together through God's divine timing. I had always been drawn to her description when thinking of my good good friend Carrie. She and I knew each other for less than three months while working at Camp Ghormley ten years ago. I declared her to be my first grown-up friend...meaning a friend NOT met in my elementary days. She was then and is now an incredibly good friend who knows me as well as any of my "oldie, but goodie" friends. Beth Moore's point is that David and Jonathan did not need time to build their friendship...God knit their hearts together as dear friends.

Okay...so as I was saying...I have this friend...this other friend. Our friendship is exactly the opposite. We met...dare I say it...27 years ago. She lived on one end of the block and I lived on the other. We met at the halfway point and introduced ourselves as I'm sure our mothers had instructed us to. She was the tomboy and I was the prissy girl...and we both wished to trade places with each other.:-) You couldn't have found two friends more joined at the hip than us. As with all dramatic stories there came a time when we had to part:-) She moved away to college and I stayed home for college. So, for the last 10+ years we've been more separated. Even when she moved back to the area we see little of each other. It is remarkably difficult to coordinate schedules...either that or we are just really bad at it. The times we do manage to eek out some coffee time are amazing...as if nothing has changed...no need to fill in back story...because we are each other's backstory:-)

My point in all of this is that I've been marveling at the David and Jonathan story because of Beth Moore's illustration of the lack of time built into their relationship. But as of late it has been on my mind in a different way. The point is not necessarily how God knit their hearts together...but THAT he knit their hearts together. A few days ago I sent out a mass email to let everyone know about my blog...one the commenters was this friend of 27 years. So, I went to her blog...which I'd previously visited but not been to in some time. I was so amazed, comforted, pleased that there are so many similarities between her and I STILL:-) Vacations at Waldport, Oregon...opening up to new groups of friends...remodeling our homes this spring and summer...home depot issues...creative projects that get started, stopped, started again and are cheered when they're finished...the thrill of not just being an aunt; but being an Auntie---yes there is a difference:-)...frustrated that there isn't enough time in the day...struggling with 'love your neighbor'...loving new things we learn about God...finding such an amazing experience in volunteering in ministry.

Sarah and I have been friends for forever and I have so much gratitude to God for making the pathway for our parents to each find the same block. What would've have happened if I lived one block over? I'm so thankful that God has knit us together as friends.