Connections and Keepsakes

In a day when we rely on digital communication to connect, it’s important for us to unplug from technology and simply plug in to one another – and listen to a heart.  I had an opportunity to do just that this past weekend, listening to the hearts of several Jesus lovin’ ladies who joined us at the BEHOLD Conference.  I appreciate them. 

There is no way to measure the blessing of how God connects us with other humans – the gift of making new friends, the gift of keeping old friends. Soul-blend and heart fusion, the gift of sisterhood.

I’m grateful to have the “age-old” friends still in my life.  A forever memory of one special-one is who I met when I was three years old walking alongside my mom as we passed her house on the way to the corner store. A little dark haired girl came to her gate and asked my mother, “can you let her come to my birthday party?”  It was friendship at first sight!  That was quite a few birthdays ago (Rosemary) but how special it is for me to not only spend time with you this week, but also two other life-longs from grade school. Best friends – they’re the beloved buddies who seem to know what’s going on in your space before you tell them – the ones who knew you when, but still show up today – not only to hang out but to hang in.  I appreciate them . . .

Throughout time we enjoy a sweet mix of old and new and also the precious-those who’ve simply dropped in on life for a season to leave tracks on our heart forever.  And I remember them . . .

I’m thankful for the sheltering friends who have been there in the middle of my midnight –the ones that didn’t become less available because of geography or time.  I appreciate them . . .

Women ministering to women isn’t new.  The apostle Paul wrote a first century letter recorded in the book of Titus to encourage women to come alongside one another to share truth, compassion and to be a worthy influence.

My dear friend, author Jessie Seneca wrote a great book to inspire connection among women – Friendship; Sisters For a Journey– that’s what we are, and I’m grateful for the ones who have been jewels on my journey. . .

Oil and perfume make the heart glad and the sweetness of a friend comes from her earnest counsel.  Proverbs 27:9

We must be intentional in order to foster our keepsake-friendships despite the busy pace of a spinning out of control world.  Take a moment, girlfriend, and think of what life would be without the holy connections God has placed along your path ~ the one who has been the deep heart who gave you a safe place to step into and connect with her today!

And so, all these (many) decades later, my answer to the little three-year-old girl standing at the gate is still, “yes, Rose I can be there to celebrate your birthday – I wouldn’t miss it!”