Friends

I've been especially thankful for friends this week. Sunday was full of friends supporting, challenging, and loving me.

Sunday, I visited a church where a good friend of mine pastors. Rebecca and I had planned on visiting for the past month, but our boys were in no shape to visit another church after being away from us for four days. Rebecca and the boys stayed home while I visited the church. I had emailed my friend to tell him we weren't coming and then I emailed again to tell him I was coming alone. He was genuinely excited to hear I would still be coming. You encounter so many people who are scared to show feelings and emotions. It's so common to run into people who just won't show what they're really feeling. The freedom my friend felt to share his initial disappointment and subsequent joy was refreshing. What I found out later was that day marked the one year anniversary of his father's death. In the midst of his pain, he wasn't focused on himself. He was entering into my life.

During the drive away from the church I visited to Christ Community, I talked to one of Rebecca and my closest friends. I shared some personal struggles with her and she did something daringly friendly. She told me a story about my selfishness and insecurity. She remembered a time when I was short and sensitive and was willing to tell me how it made her feel to see it.

Sunday night, I got to preach for the first time in a church service. I was overwhelmed by the people who emailed or called to let me know they were praying for me. A few people came and supported me by being there. It is an incredible feeling to experience the friendship of people who are enthusiastically for you.

I'm grateful for friends. I'm grateful for their honest and supportive voices in my life.