I used to have a prayer group that met on Saturday mornings. There were 4 of us, bonded initially by a passion for missions work, but eventually by something much deeper. Our times were filled with sharing our hearts, funny stories, stupid moments, and on occasion deep hurts. Then we would go before the throne on behalf of each other. God was always faithful to meet us. It was a time I treasured.
One evening several years ago, I had these women over for a dinner party. Of course we took some pictures. Here's where I have to explain the pants I was wearing, because they became quite significant in the story. I have a pair of jeans that are covered in painted pictures and words regarding travel type things like the Eiffel tower, etc. So, we took a picture of us all crammed into my big reading chair.
I emailed the photo to each of my friends so we could use it to remember to pray for each other. Heather noticed something about the photo - in the corner where my knees were, in my totally cool jeans, it looked like it says "Angels of Love." In reality it was the words Los Angeles and Love that got squished together by the way I was sitting, but who cares. To us it said Angels of Love. And we dreamed big about what God might have brought us all together to accomplish some day.
And then, one of us dropped out. Nothing felt the same. We still met to pray, but the sense of someone missing was always there. And then another one was gone. And then it just ended. It's season had come and gone...
Last night, the 4 of us were together in the same place at the same time for the first time in years. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about what it would be like to all be together again. And for a short time I didn't even want to show up, but I did. And it was good. It was light and fun, we got caught up on each others lives. As the evening closed, we touched on the subject of friendships. The "leaf" people who come and go in seasons. The "thicker branches" you can lean on. And the "roots" who build you up and serve you in love.
As I got in my car to drive home, I left with this thought. True love is deep, deep down in the roots where you don't always see it.
Last night, perhaps my roots got some much needed watering.
2 comments:
This was really beautiful, Tia. I am one who still struggles with those leaf friendships, because I'm in the market for the lifelong friends... That's more a weakness in me than those friends.
proud root. :) friendships are such a precious gift from God.
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