Yesterday I was starting to feel sorry for myself. After leaving a place where I was so connected to other people, it’s sometimes hard not to throw a pity party.
I’ve only been here for two months, and I’m not foolish enough to think that I should have developed life long friendships in such an expanse of time. The friendships that I do expect to carry with me to the grave took far longer than this to be cemented.
Still, it’s only natural to miss the kind of fellowship I once had. In Tallahassee, God really taught me the significance of bonding to others, particularly within the body of Christ. He pulled down the walls I’d built ‘ walls that I was so accustomed to that I didn’t even realize they existed. I began to allow people to step over those ruins and get a glimpse of my heart. Through His grace, I found friends who not only truly knew me, but loved me in spite of the insecurities and imperfections they saw.
I’m so grateful for modern technology! Even though each of those people is hundreds of miles away, our friendships persist. A quick phone call or a few written lines sent over the internet keep them near.
Maybe the friendships I make here will find their way to similar life-long status. Or perhaps the year I’ve got ahead of me will yield a master’s degree but little else. Regardless, I carry the knowledge that I am loved ‘ both by an indescribable Savior and by His people ‘ close to my heart. The longer I focus on that fact, the harder it becomes to keep a pity party intact. It might do me some good to dwell on it a while.
I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong ‘ that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Romans 1:11-12