Tuesday, December 16, 2014

My Friend from Oz

As you may remember, one of my very best friends from college now lives in Australia. We've been able to stay connected via Facebook, Skype, and WhatsApp. Honestly, most of the time, she doesn't feel that far away. But last week, she was HERE!

She scheduled her flight back to the Midwest with a brief stay in San Francisco. I was so excited! Of course our "storm of the decade" would happen to arrive on the same day as her flight, so after some delays and prayers, she finally arrived. Thankfully the real storm didn't hit until later that night . . . which would keep us indoors for the majority of her visit.

But you know, if you are going to be stuck inside with anyone, who better than your best friend you haven't seen in 17 months! We did venture out a few times to get dinner and our nails done and a quick trip to the grocery store and post office. And one brief stop at the Painted Ladies so she could say she saw something in the city!


The rest of the time she helped keep William occupied indoors and even put dinner together for me while I finished up work. She helped me bake eight dozen cookies for a party I was going to that weekend. (btw, baking is so much better with a friend!) We talked and played a game. We were just together. It was wonderful. It didn't matter that we didn't get to go hiking or to the zoo or anything adventurous. We just needed to have time together and that is exactly what we had. Two and a half days of togetherness.


While she was here, I couldn't help think back to our college days. Both gaining strength in our faith in Jesus Christ and seeking accountability. We used to get up early and meet in the Union to do our quiet times together. We didn't even talk to each other, we just had to be with each other. And then after that semester we both left to go overseas; she to Australia to student teach and me to Gambia to experience the mission field. We never lived in the same town again.

Friendships are so special. So important. They do take effort and need special care, but it's worth it all. The internet makes a lot of things possible but nothing can replace quality face-to-face time with a friend. It is nourishment for the soul.

Who do you need to reconnect with or make an effort to see face-to-face this season?

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