Change is Good

So I got to finally hang out with my friend last night.  We had been missing each other for months and it seemed like forever since we had our normal one-on-one at our favorite hangout: Panera Bread 😉.  I had to re-arrange my schedule and even when other events emerged that day which threatened to dismantle our intended quality time I was determined to make it happen anyways.  And I’m glad I did.  I was so right when she got married and I told her that our meetings at Panera would be few and far between.  I was right when I said the season was changing.  I was right when I said marriage changes things between friends.  But really these are good changes because just as she is changing in her marriage I am changing in my singleness.  

She shared about her challenges and all the ways God is stretching her.  I let her pour out b/c I know there aren’t many people she can lean on.  I’m glad to be one of those people.  She finally came up for air and asked, “So, what’s going on with you?”  “I feel set apart” I shared.  That is the best way to sum up this season for me.  God has intentionally moved around relationships in my life, placing boundaries where they need to be placed and causing me to no longer look horizontally but vertically.  

“It’s just me and Jesus” I said.  “I wake up, its Him. I go to bed it’s Him.  Jesus is my roommate LOL”.  Our conversation moved along from our regular topics of Jesus, relationships, music, culture and all things that affect our world.  She apologized for being off the radar but there was no apology needed.  It’s God.  He is calling us to Himself.  Whatever our priorities are in this season do not resemble those of the past.  

I feel honored to have this time set apart with Him. I know not everyone does.  I also know He’s doing it b/c of my calling and my identity in Him.  He’s doing it because that is His way with me.  

I shared with her I’m going to Paris.  She was ecstatic.  “I know, it’s crazy.  I’ve been waiting for this for at least 7 years and now it’s finally here.”  That is the randomness of this path He has me on.  Everyday I feel like I’m dying daily to my desires and then boom, this really big desire comes to pass.  This really big blessing.  Facebook and social media never see the death of self.  They don’t see the sowing and tilling of the ground, they only see the harvest.  She agreed.  We are both learning and growing a lot these days in our respective seasons.  God is so unique with each of His kids.  He is always teaching and molding and maturing.  If we yield to Him that is.  

Talking to my friend until the wee hours of the night I realized that what we have in common is we are thirsty for Him.  

We cannot be satisfied if we do not feel His presence daily.  If we do not experience His voice leading us.  If He is not at the center of our being.  

We stood outside the restaurant.  They had already allowed us to stay an hour after closing time so we resumed our fellowship outside, in the rain, for another hour.  

Some things dont change.

I’m grateful God has kept people around me who are moving forward in Him and yielding to His development process in their lives, but there are some whom I have lost.  I was reflecting on a memory when I was with 3 individuals who I considered to be my best friends at that time.  At this point in my life I am not in communication with any of those people.  But I heard a word today that I feel was applicable, “There is no person that you’ve lost on this journey that you need to continue on it”.  I agree wholeheartedly.  Some people are with you for a season, a reason, or a lifetime.  We just need to discern between those three purposes.

On another note, I had a great time with my mom on Mother’s Day.  Here are some pics from our blessed weekend together:

SHALOM!