gratitude: friendship

I am friends with some pretty great people.  When I graduated from Taylor, I was distraught over leaving behind these friends who became like family to me.  I shouldn't have been so upset . . . my friendships have just grown and multiplied since then.  The ones closest to my heart live scattered across three continents.  I am amazed at how strong our bonds still are despite the distance.  It makes the moments together so precious.  

My bridesmaids came from six different states (and Canada) and gave me the gift of standing beside me at our wedding.  But before they could put on their matching dresses (which I'm sure they've had ample opportunity to wear again), there were years of life together that knit us as friends. 

My predominant memories are funny ones, centered around Taylor and staying up too late and eating too much ice cream.  But we were good for each other, too.  Our relationships really were iron sharpening iron, the type of friendships that withstand trial because they are built on the foundation of Christ.

When I left Taylor, God was so faithful in surrounding me with some of those same people.  We jumped into our low-income schools with the blind enthusiasm of new teachers and supported each other through the difficult times that followed.  It was my Charlotte roommates who saw me through the process of moving to Africa, who ushered me into a new chapter of life. 

And what a beautiful, although short!, chapter it was.  In a community of just a few, I was so thankful to meet a couple other kindred spirits to walk with me through the transition to a new culture and, it turned out, falling in love. :)  

 

Since Matt and I located in yet another new place, we've come to treasure our friends from our past.  We are thankful for the people who know where we've been, who've seen us through the hard times and shared with us in our rejoicing.  I have been blessed by their sacrifices and support.  But again, God has been gracious to put new people in our paths.  I have learned to trust God in this, because wherever I go, from Dubai to Indiana to Taiwan to Tanzania, I've always found a friend.  Of course this is true in Long Island, too! 

Although the ones here seem to be a bit odd . . . :) 

I thank my God every time I remember you.  In all my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy!

Philippians 1:4-5