“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father. – John 15:11-15 (The Message)
This past season I have seen and felt the love of God through my friends. For most of us, 2020 has been a year like no other. And even though closing the yoga and spin studio was hard and big, and I’m still working through logistics and transition… my family has been walking through far more difficult life “stuff.”
My close friends have cried with me, sat with me, and shown up. Even when my words are wrong, and my sadness is big, they have sat with me. My heart is so full of gratitude for them, and for God showing his love through them this season. Thank you.
Some things I’ve experienced that have helped me learn to be a better friend when your life is full and you desire (and need) friendships, but don’t know where to fit them in. (And I am a true introvert with a extroverted job, so this is a hard one for me. All that to say, if I can learn this, ever so slowly, anyone can.)
-You don’t need a casserole or a dessert, just ask if you can stop by for a few minutes
-Asking one good question is worth an hours of chatter
-Meet somewhere else, even if masks are required, if that eases the burden of having someone over.
-If someone comes to mind, that you may need to apologize to, or just say I’m thinking of you, text them. A long exchange may be too much for you, but a quick text can encourage a weary heart.
We are almost to Christmas. I have never practiced living life with the expectancy of what God will do as I have this year, knowing that it may be a long time coming.
Thank you Jesus for showing up for the hard stuff. Harder than I’ll ever face and loving us all along the way.
