friendship

This morning I had the honor of meeting up with a former church member and forever friend for coffee. We sat and shared our lives as they are now. We drank hot coffee and felt the warmth of friendship. For over an hour, the places in our hearts that had first connected through shared faith and shared values got to rejoin and celebrate. When I think of church, and the reason for it (besides worshipping God--that most obvious reason), this is what I celebrate. True friendship is the one of the hallmarks of a healthy church. And, I'm not just describing seeing people regularly and exchanging niceties. Friendships based in the faith always love, respect, and hold each other accountable to what we say we are about. Friendships based in the faith pursue kindness and stick up for one another. Friendships based in faith seek to understand another's point of view and never make judgements (that's for God to do).

One of my dearest friends now lives many miles away from me in California. We grew up together in church and school and even went to college together. Even though we cannot see each other on a regular basis, our friendship is as strong as ever. When I went through a difficult breakup, she reminded me that God needed me to take care of me instead of trying to "fix" anyone else or be someone I wasn't. When I was lonely and wanted to run back home, she reminded me that sometimes the choices we make are hard, but we live them out like we committed to doing. There are many more examples I could list from our friendship. I pray that my presence in her life has been as wonderful as her's in mine.

Who are those friends in your life that keep you grounded and encourage your better sensibilities? I am thankful to not have just one of these mighty friends in my life, but many. I thank God for you each, as Paul did that we live in the grace of God where even though we are not perfect, we love each other toward our better selves.

On another avenue of friendship, this past Friday, my beloved lab/pointer mix Chaco died of a stroke while we were at our daily dog park visit. It was one of the scariest things I've ever seen. I am thankful for the help of the community of folks that are regularly at the dog park. Lucy (our GSP) barked at him as he lay there and one woman, Danielle, helped me try to revive him and carried him until we met my husband who had rushed from work. Another woman took care of Lucy as we made it to the vet. And, people have been checking in and sharing their concern for us since it happened. Most people who know me understand how important Chaco was. I got him after my dad died, and he helped me learn to grieve. He was my companion for 8 years and went to work with me on a regular basis. When Nick came into our lives, they quickly bonded. Soon, I am going to post an entry as a list of memories. It is really a place for me to remember him, and if you'd like, please share with me your Chaco memories too. : )