Such Good Friends

I have a friend who spends her days taking care of a house full of treasures.  Some with special needs, all part of their big family.  She recently shared on her blog that she spends her days doing a lot of talking.  Certainly you would expect that with so many kids to care for, but she stated she talks all day to God.  They are "long time friends" and she visits with Him continually and listens when He talks to her.  This relationship has been part of her life since she was a young child.  Ana Werner, author and speaker, shared in her book "The Seer's Path" that she spends a lot of time talking with Jesus.  A back and forth conversation guided by Holy Spirit I expect.  I desire what they talk about.

It is common knowledge that God wants a close relationship with us.  It seems to me that would require some good back and forth conversation.  Just like any relationship, we need to put the time and effort into nurturing those that are important to us.

Recently I asked Jesus a question that someone suggested.  What would Jesus say about me?   As I thought about it, I remembered that  He has said more than once I am faithful.  He expressed to me through words of knowledge that I have tenacity.  Those two I already knew, but when I asked this question while quietly sitting in His Presence,  I also heard Him say "God fiercely loves you."  I then saw Jesus link arms with me and heard Him say "We are such good friends!"

"Such good friends".  Wow.  That surprised me and got me thinking even more.   Am I really a good friend?  Do I come to Him only with my own agenda or do I find out how He is doing too.  Do I listen as well as I talk?  Do I laugh with Him, cry with Him?  Do I desire to spend time with Him like I do my earthly friends?  Do I trust Him fully as I do my Joel?  Do we do life well together?

I am often amazed that Jesus wants to be our friend.  That Papa God loves us so much.  I am amazed at the perseverance of them both to bring home the lost and continually care for their children.  Always with us, always for us.  That is the best kind of relationship to have, isn't it.  I'm so glad we are such good friends.

Catching Up

Yesterday we met with long time friends at a restaurant off of the Interstate.  They were on their way back home after a short trip to visit family, and to give us more time to catch up we met them about 20 minutes from our home.  It had been a few years and even though we knew our friend Allen was having many health challenges now, we were still surprised. He is just shy of turning 90, a retired Methodist pastor from the deep south who was sent first to Iowa and then to Minnesota to serve congregations.  In the Methodist church you are assigned congregations. 

Joel met Allen when we were living in Zimmerman Mn in the mid 80's and they soon became friends.  When he married Susan, Joel was his best man.  They have now been married 30 years, she being several years younger.  They adopted children to add to his older grown sons, and with our adopted children we had yet another connection.  Allen is a gentle man with compassion that runs deep.  When our lives were threatened by a man who wanted to end Joel's life, one who did not like our multi-racial family, Allen was there for us.  The man who threatened Joel had a restraining order so could not come within a certain number of yards of us.......so he started going to Allen's church.  We found irony in that, since he was such a prejudice man and Allen is African American.  I think God wanted to teach that broken, hateful man a few things!

Seeing Allen and Susan again has had me thinking about old friendships.   We have a few long time friends that we have stayed connected to for many many years, mostly from a distance.  Our hearts are warmed when thinking about John S and others from our time at the Lutheran Bible Institute, Marge and Dick from our time in Utah, Montana friends from the early 80's, Marilyn from Mn, Dan and Barb from seminary days, Jim and Linda from my high school days, George and Helen from the Philippines.  And many more.  It is one of the reasons I love Christmas~ cards and letters, pictures and packages fill the mailbox and we get to hear how they are doing. 

We are all aging.  Life has been kinder to some than others.  Some have spent their lives in one place while others have moved around the country, the world.  Everyone of us has a different story to share, but what unites us all is our faith.  We all are believers in Jesus as Savior. I like that. 

We are so grateful for our visit with Allen and Susan.  So grateful for long time friends.  So grateful for a faith that unites and a love that sustains.  As the Christmas season begins, our trips to the mailbox hold more anticipation.  Connections with family and long time friends.  A time for catching up!

We Were Created For Relationships

Going to my class reunion this past weekend brought up quite a few memories.  Some good, some not good....Junior High and High School are often tumultuous, but there were always friends you could rely on.  I spent most of my H.S. years "going steady" with one guy, and I worked part time at a nursing home, so I sometimes missed out on friends and school activities.  But those friends were always there.  There were slumber parties, dances, games to attend, phone calls, and church activities since most of my friends attended the same large church in our city, St. Olaf Lutheran.  It takes up nearly a city block and when I attended they had several pastors working with the congregation.  It was the beginning of the baby boomers.....lots of kids.....lots.  I can "see" other baby boomers nodding their heads in agreement!

The house I lived in with my older sister and her family, is gone now, as that whole area tended to flood with the winding river visible from our backyards. Things changed in the family dynamics, and life moved on.  I have pondered why my ties there do not draw me back, but I realized it is partly because Joel did not attend the same school as I did. He is not from my "home town" either.  It makes a difference.  And we have never gone to Joel's reunions, since he had only a couple friends in H.S., and was more of a loner (which is hard to imagine when he is such an extrovert).  He spent most of his spare time helping his brothers on the farm and his mom who went back to work because his dad died and that shifted his priorities.

Having moved 22 times, Joel and I learned to "move on" after leaving a place~ good or bad it is what it is.  The military taught us that along with the ministry.  When you leave a church, you don't often go back to visit, especially in the early years, because the congregation is adjusting and hugging on a new pastor.  So going back or longing for what was has never been part of our lifestyle.  We have a few precious long distance friends we have hung on to from the past 48 years but mostly pastors lead lonely lives in the friend department.  Then came kids, sickness, choices, life. All that being said,  I pondered as I observed the strong connections with people at the reunion.
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Speaking of life, I asked Joel what he would really miss about Mason City if we left here, and he shared three things.  Then he asked me and I had two things...well not things, but people.  My sister and her hubby, even though we don't see them too often, and the friends we connect with at times.  I know I would miss other things like our neighborhood, the walking paths,  and all the people we know.  So we asked ourselves if that was enough to keep us here.  (Our children and their families don't live here.)   As you can see, the issue of moving or staying has not been settled...:-)

I asked what was a priority for moving?  Joel said, "God's will" and we added to that, friends, and a church where we feel we belong.

So why bring all this up?  Because healthy, loving relationships are vital for our health. I saw that being lived out at my reunion.  The hugs, laughter, patience, tolerance, compassion, the love. I saw that when the Quilts of Valor organization came and handed out quilts to the vets in our class.  Many had been to Viet Nam and were treated poorly when they returned.  A standing ovation and presentation of quilts brought tears to the eyes of many, including those from our round table of friends who stood proudly before the class.  Tears flowed in classmates with gratitude and love.

God made us to interact with others and most importantly with Him!  A good place to do that is church.  I often hear "I don't need organized religion..... but those same people are deep into organized sports.  I went without contact with people for so long, and let me tell you, I was l.o.n.l.e.y.  Isolated.  I was missing something vital in my life then, and I treasure being "back in the world" now.  Oh, people, don't take it for granted.  And don't take for granted our freedom to gather together to hear his Word, the teachings of others, and to worship freely.  Cherish family, even if you don't agree.....cherish friends......cherish the ability to walk into the doors of a church and give praise to our Lord.  Cherish the knowledge that God wants a relationship with us.  Always. God......family.....friends.  We were created for relationships.

A Friend Indeed

Lana and I at their cabin, 2014

As the time for my 50 year high school reunion nears, I have been thinking a great deal about my years in what I call my home town.  I moved so often as a child, but spent 8 years there....the longest I lived anywhere until our last move to Iowa.  It is a mixed bag of memories.....good, bad, and ugly.....Mostly good memories, but a couple of tough years before moving in with my older sister and her family.

During those tough times, a dear friend and her mother took me under their wings.  Dear sweet Lana used to bring me home for lunch, as we went to grade school together.  Lana and her mom loved on me with kindness, and I would stay there once in awhile too.  I am sure they noticed my clothes were not always clean, nor did they fit properly.  In fifth grade I skipped school more than I want to admit, and did not always have lunch money when I did go.  Although they never said anything to me, they knew things were tough at home and they alone reached out to me during those two years. We have been friends ever since. We don't often see each other, but when I think about that time in my life and the past 57 years of friendship, it warms my heart.  God placed her and her mom in my life and I am forever grateful that they responded to God with a yes.

Lana also played an important role in me accepting Jesus into my heart.  I can see Lana and myself sitting together in a large recliner at a friend's home.  She was talking about Jesus to me.  Somewhere in the conversation she asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus as my Savior and I said yes.  We prayed together and so began my journey in earnest of walking with God.  It still is amazing to me that such a young girl would be bold enough to share the gospel and ask me the most important question of my life.  Only God.

I am sure over the years there have been many other people that Lana has reached out to and still does.  She has lived a life of faith, often going through her own tough times.  Very difficult times, in fact, where her faith sustained her and she was an example for the rest of us to follow.

Do you have people in your life who have been a pivotal part of your journey? Someone who has a heart for God and a heart for others?  Today I honor my friend Lana, and give thanks to God for her faith, her friendship, and her big heart.  She is the definition of friend, a friend indeed!

Face-to-Face Friendship

Last Thursday we headed east to Wisconsin where our daughter, SIL, and two grands live.  We were attending our grandson's confirmation, our granddaughter's induction ceremony into the National Junior Honor Society, and planned to take in a couple of volleyball games on Saturday.  We would also be visiting with another daughter and her treasures plus our SIL's parents, friends, etc.  We were excited!

Woven into the mix was a face-to-face visit with my blogger friend, Anita.   Our relationship began on Spiritual Sundays where we both would link up to share inspirational posts.  Our connection grew when I became her 1,000th visitor to her photography blog, "did you bring your camera?" winning a special gift from her.  I was able to pick out a favorite photo and she had it matted, framed and shipped to me!  What fun.  Here is the picture I chose and we love it!

Stain-glass tree makes me think of worshipping in nature.

Outdoor church!

We rejoice over all God has created!

(sorry about the reflection)

As  a photographer, Anita's posts include beautiful pictures of nature.  During our toughest times battling Lyme, her photos were the only nature we could really enjoy and gave us a sense of peace.  Recently, Anita learned she is now battling Lyme Disease herself.  It also turns out she does not live very far from our daughter and her family, so we made plans for Joel and me to stop by and visit.  We wanted to meet face-to-face and Joel and I hoped to encourage her the way her photos had encouraged us in those days of Lyme that are now behind us.

It was wonderful to meet Anita and her husband!  She was having a challenging day, but she did manage to visit for 2 hours.  I cannot help but be grateful and amazed at how God brought us together.  Who could imagine two bloggers brought together by a third would be meeting face-to-face?  Who would have ever imagined Anita would live so close to our daughter and her family?!  Who could imagine that we would be spiritually fed by her photos when battling Lyme and then a couple years later be able to help Anita in her battle against Lyme Disease.?!   Only God could orchestrate such an amazing connection and bless us all in the process.  Only God!

"For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. 

Plans for good and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

Old Friends Joined In Faith And Friendship

The word God gave me to meditate on this year is Jesus.  Jesus my Savior, my Healer, my Provider, my Protector.  There is amazing power in the name of Jesus! Yesterday my first connection with Jesus was brought to mind when an old friend and her husband came by for a visit.  As kids, Lana and I had attended the same Lutheran church and schools.  We saw each other periodically after high school, but kept in touch over the years.  It was so nice to have such a long visit and reconnect with someone who has played such a pivotal role in my life. 

I have known Lana since I was 11 years old, so we have a long history together!  She and her mother took me under their wing when I was in fifth grade, and besides their gracious love, I enjoyed some good food and fellowship in their home.  More importantly, when I was between the ages of 12 and 13, this dear friend spoke to me about asking Jesus into my heart.

I can still see us together in a recliner in the house of another friend.  The two of us sitting close in a big overstuffed chair, speaking quietly about Jesus.  She talked, I listened.  She asked, and I responded, and unbeknown to me at the time, this conversation would have a powerful impact on my life. 

We reminisced about it yesterday.........that moment together.  As I mentioned, we were in the home of another friend, but we were in an environment that was not healthy.  Around us God did not reign, commandments were willingly being broken, and lives were in chaos, but the Lord whispered in Lana's heart to ask me an important question....."Have you ever asked Jesus into your heart?".

She spoke, I listened.....I asked, and together we prayed.  Then Jesus moved and my heart was filled with His amazing love. 

I did not understand it totally nor did I feel anything at the time, but Jesus entered and a seed was planted.  From that day forward, God was central in my life and I never wavered far from His Presence.  There were still challenges, and just like all of you, I have had my share of difficulties, but Jesus took up residence and in His patience and infinite love we have walked hand in hand through the good, the bad, and the ugly.

She spoke, I listened....I asked and together we prayed.

Jesus our Savior.  Jesus who heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.  Jesus who suffered and died for all sin, disease, brokenness.  We thank you Jesus that You, as our Shepherd, will not forget the one.....that You want all to be part of Your Kingdom.

Lana, Roger, Joel and I had a wonderful time blessed by good food, tears, laughter, and prayer.  We spoke....we listened....we asked questions.....we prayed!  We are indeed rejoicing that old friends could join together in faith and friendship once again.  Only God.

The EnKouragers

"Therefore encourage one another

and build one another up, just as you are doing."
I Thessalonians 5:11

Several years ago, I was an editor and writer of a newsletter for people who were chronically ill.  Each month I mailed it out to around 150 people in the US and around the world.  The purpose was to proclaim Christ and encourage the readers, many of whom were home bound.  After five years my health began to go down hill, and eventually I had to turn the newsletter over to someone else. The newsletter was called "The Encourager".

Around three years ago I was part of a conference call prayer group that gathered via the phone to pray foe hundreds of people suffering with Lyme disease.  Through that group I became friends with two women, who like me. were praying for healing from Lyme for themselves, too.  As time went by, we connected more and more via email to pray for each other.  Recently we have connected by phone and we will meet for the first time on our trip East.  Joel and I will connect with one friend in CT and one in NYC!

Around two years ago I began leading an email prayer group, The Knee Team, for my friend Linny over at A Place Called Simplicity.   This is a group of around 150 women who commit to praying for the needs of others.  It is a great blessing to be a part of such a faithful group of women prayer warriors.  Through this group I became friends with one of the members.  Recently we have connected by phone and I truly hope some day to meet her for a good face-to-face hug and conversation.

All three of the women I mentioned are great prayer warriors who believe strongly in sharing the love of Jesus with others.  They also believe strongly in healing.  I am blessed to be on the receiving end of their prayers and faithfulness.  I have taken to calling them our "enKouragers".  Blending the Encourager group I wrote to so many years ago with the first letter of their names.

When I ask for their prayers, whether for sickness or a majorly mixed up hotel reservation, I have a sense of peace, knowing that they stand in agreement with me and they petition for the need. Their insights and wisdom, and words of knowledge from God bless us greatly.  I only hope I do the same in small ways for them.

We ALL need encouragers in our lives.  Those who build us up, who remind us of who we are and Whose we are.  Those who love us in spite of and because of who we are.  Those sent by God as HIS messengers to not only live out Christ but use that power within them.....the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.....to come before God and against the enemy for us.

Certainly there are many in my life I turn to for prayer and insights.  We form a community of friends and family and I can reach out to them as they can reach out to me/us.  What is unusual is our connection with these women I mentioned.   How these enKouragers, the three "K's" came into Joel's and my lives is beyond our own understanding.  Behind the scenes God was weaving a tapestry that has bound us together here on earth and for eternity.    Our connections have us saying "only God!"   To God be the glory~~ for friends, for family, for prayer warriors, for those He brings into our lives for His purpose, for His deep love for His children.  We are blessed.