Driving on the weathered streets of yesterday's groggy Sunday morning, my heart was expectant. As I struggled to remember where my friend's house is located, my eyes frantically searching around each stoplight for the hidden street signs, I noticed the aged roads and buildings more than I usually do. Who else has wandered these streets through the decades, visiting dear ones, waiting for buses, going about their lives? There are so many of us, so many specific, individual stories. Sometimes that overwhelms me, but mostly I'm overcome with awe. How are we all here? How has our world survived and sustained all these years?
I have my theories.
The good news is that I found her house, yet parking was an adventure all it's own. Grateful there is no snow, I ascended the steps with ease, once again admiring the loveliness of an old house with a big old porch, and joined the beauty that was happening inside. Friendship. Community. Love.
My coffee date times with the 20-ish different women who come is always a fantastic beginning to a new week. Scones, tea, cider, granola, muffins, fresh fruit-- we have a feast of both treats and sweet fellowship. A synonym of fellowship is communion. Very fitting for us, I say.
Communing together we dive into the depths of our hearts and our minds. "What makes you feel known?" We discuss the joy and the pain of life as it pertains to us here and now-- how we feel both appreciated and alone, both hopeful and somewhat despairing. How we are very thankful for our jobs, for our loved ones, for the truth and reality of God's presence, though we occasionally forget the power and freedom which accompanies that truth; how we can continue to dig out the rich meaning of living in this time and in this place with these people. What a wonderful gift to enjoy.
I was reminded by one of these dear friends how special the writings of the Bible are to us. Though it seems as just a book written many years ago by normal people like us, it refreshes my soul and corrects my actions-- reminding me of the foundations of life, the truth of life. This time is fleeting. We must love each other so much, not seeking out vain possessions and costly things, but giving and giving and giving. We must pursue the Father's heart and how He has formed us, what He has dreamed us to be and how He has equipped us to fulfill those great & victorious dreams.
I am so encouraged by these words today. I hope you are, too!
from 1 John chapter 2
I am writing to you, my children, because I want you to know the truth about Jesus and how your sins have been forgiven by the authority of His name.
I am writing to you, fathers and mothers, because you have known Him as the Creator, the one who started everything.
I am writing to you, young people, because He has conquered the evil one and has given you the power to conquer the evil one as well.
I have written to you, my children, because you have known the Father.
I have written to you because you have known Him, the Creator.
I have written to you because the voice of God remains and is heard among you. Remember that you have conquered the evil one.
This corrupt world is already wasting away, as are it's selfish desires. But the person really doing God's will-- that person will never cease to be.
You have been given an anointing, a special touch from the Holy One. You know the truth.
Let the gospel, the story you have heard from the beginning of your journey, live in and take hold of you. His teaching is: "remain connected to Me."
So now, my little children, live in Him.
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