Treasured Friends Old & New

What a week! And while there were some significant challenges and stressful moments, the true residue and lasting resonance of the week is that my heart was filled by the love of treasured friends from over 30 years ago, from 10 years ago, and then from this last 2 months. With each interaction there were threads of caring, compassion, intelligent and heart connected times of sharing and interaction. Truly special nights.

This week challenged me as some circumstances pushed me towards stress and anger. Pushing my buttons while at the same time I was given the opportunity to show love and compassion to others. The gauntlet was thrown down of how would I handle showing love while fighting the human natural tendencies of tension and frustration. I was only able to not miss out on special nights through the help of the Lord and good friends….. I am thankful for and and fortunate to have such great people in my life.

Wednesday night, I had a last minute dinner with 2 old friends from different eras and seasons of my life. One from childhood, and the other from work 10 years ago… It just so happened that they both were in town at the same time and so, I crossed the streams of my life, and blended social circles…… and WOW! What a great night of sharing and growing.

I found out that the day that the Lord touched my life and proved His Existence, Truth, and Love for me was the same day that He gave me a heart to share Him with a man I truly care for. I learned that that day of blur (which was within 24 hours of finding out that my chemotherapy treatment in response to cancer) was the same day the Lord gave me the words to share His Good News message with my friend.

Could it be that my cancer served the purpose of introducing my friend to Christ? I learned that that day changed His life, while mine was in a whirlwind and I never knew. That day the Lord touched and saved His life. Hearing about it, touched my heart and as I listened I learned he shared that he previously shared the same beliefs as a new truly valued and wonderful friend in my life. My heart was moved and it gave me the courage and conviction to share with her (my new friend) the Good News of Christ.

She was on my heart and in my prayers for several days, and on Friday the opportunity and door was opened and we had a conversation that I will treasure for years. The results are in the trustworthy and loving hands of the Lord. But I know I have a wonderful friend and that we will have many conversations in the future on a multitiude of subject both serious and fun. Light hearted, and deep. Laughter will be a big part of all conversations. Laughter is awesome and critical to a life of joy.

I can tell you that I am truly experiencing joy from both conversations, all 3 friends, and the love that was shared both ways in each night of sharing.

Please pray for my 3 friends. I ask that the Lord touch each of their lives and hearts.