Fellowship

It's been a long haul--getting here. Here being back to an area where I have friends I've known for years. It's not like I didn't have friends in Florida. I did. But many or most moved away when the recession hit in search of employment. Also we weren't retired and so many people where we lived were.

During the past few days we've spent time with friends watching parades, eating home-cooked food, and touring local towns. On Saturday we rose early, picked up our two best friends and drove up near Watkins Glen, NY where we browsed thrift stores, antique shops and stopped at an ice cream stand, a church bazaar and local tourist destinations. By the end of the day my throat was ragged from laughing and talking so much.

My husband and I fell into bed last night at eight o'clock exhausted but happy.

Fellowship is one of the reasons we moved back. Sometimes I think it's the most important reason.

We've been alone much too long for too many years. Some couples prefer that kind of life style. We like a heavy dose of it but I doubt God wants us to be an island all the time. If I didn't fellowship, I wouldn't know about others' needs. I wouldn't hear their stories or understand their passions.

And they do the same for me.

My friends pull me through the deep ditches in life. They also point me back to God when his way seems closed and remind me of His past miracles. I'm counting on their prayers now that we will be able to move into our home by winter.

So I'm thankful today for sleepy eyes, an unkempt lawn and a laundry room full of dirty clothes.