This past Sunday I was home – home as in not where I live but where I am from – for a Book Launch party. Many of my long-time friends and the long-time friends of my mom came and though I rarely see any of them it felt familiar and safe.
After the party I went to dinner with three of these friends (some of The Turtles, who I have written about in the past). Returning, we found my wedding album out on the table opened to a page with a picture of my wedding party. My parents made the observation of how many of the same ladies at the party that day were also at my side, supporting me, twenty years ago (how is that possible?!) as bridesmaids. With a few missing being the ones hosting parties in other cities!
Wow! I hadn’t thought about this. Realizing it made me so thankful for these women, not just those who were bridesmaids, but all those there with whom I have a lifetime of shared experiences and shared Truth. Despite the distance of proximity and time, we are bound together.
On the other hand, I am equally thankful for the friends God has given me in the places we have been these past twenty years. Though the newer friendships haven’t stood the test of time, they are the present embodiment of Christ in my life. And, I am in awe God in his goodness has placed these people alongside me in these different stages of life.
It is like all of these friends – the old and the new – have become part of the finest, most fabulous collection. Each one stands out with her own unique and precious value, while at the same time adding beauty to the whole that forms my most treasured collection.
It reminds me of what C.S. Lewis wrote in reflecting friendships after the death of one them:
“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets. Now that Charles is dead, I shall never again see Ronald’s [Tolkien’s] reaction to a specifically Charles joke. Far from having more of Ronald, having him to myself now that Charles is away, I have less of Ronald…In this, Friendship exhibits a glorious ‘nearness by resemblance’ to heaven itself where the very multitude of the blessed increases the fruition which each of us has of God…”
In viewing relationships as such, I am grateful for my collection of friends who have shown me more of God’s character. I am also encouraged to continue pursuing people no matter what place I am in, knowing this is where richness of life is found. As Lewis also said, “(Friendship) is one of those things which give value to survival.” And, I can’t imagine doing life apart from the divine blessing of friends.
Kristen, You truly are blessed to count so many of those women as friends. As I read your post, I was thinking that when you have godly friends, you have eternal friends and sisters in Christ. What a deeper blessing The Lord gives us! I am proud to be your friend as well. Bless you, my sister.