Photo by my friend, Nina
I have recently received the news my closest friend, Nina, is moving an hour away from here. Now, I know an hour is not a TERRIBLY long distance away, yet it is the beginning of more changes. You see, we are moving 600 miles north into Minnesota in the spring. Our friendship will remain, yet it must change as well.
Now,
this is not just an everyday friendship. This wonderful gal, is like a
sister to me. A sister whom I love dearly, and respect immensely! I
do remember moving here to this area 7 years ago. I am naturally an
outgoing person, and when I was younger in school, friendships were easy
for me to come by. I naively assumed that it would be just as easy as
it had been in school, when I moved away from everyone I really knew and
loved! Boy, was I wrong!
During
the early years of our marriage, God was really putting me through his
refining fire! We went through more in our first years of marriage,
then many do in their first 20 years! However, those are stories for
another time. Although, going through these difficult times, I did make a
couple of WONDERFUL friends.....but it took T-I-M-E. Lots of time.
I had my heart broken by a couple of my first friends here....now, granted, I have much to learn in the area of friendship. I am always learning and growing, and my friends are so gracious to me. Those first couple friendships that ended, well, they make me appreciate all the more how rare a true friend is. The ladies above have been true friends to me, and taught me what friendship is really all about.
One
way my friend Nina and I, (she's the pretty gal in black...they all are
beautiful, aren't they?).....have become as close as sisters as of the
last couple of years is mostly due to one thing. No, it isn't that our
kids love to be together and play together....and no, it's not because
she and I have a lot in common, talk each others poor ears off, or
because we facilitate a natural living group together.....(although all
of these things help!)
I attribute it to us taking the time to pray together. Once a week,we have taken the time, to put each others needs and our families needs and praises in prayer together. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, like praying with someone. It changes us more than it changes anything else. And when you are praying together like that, one on one, your heart and soul is bare before them and the Lord. That time of soul baring, and pure honesty, is something that can only occur with someone you trust and respect immensely. That time of prayer together, and of seeing Nina and her wonderful family as frequently may change, but the memories of our friendship will be there. She has taught me about what true friendship is: unconditional, quick to forgive, honest, and so much more! Thank you Nina, for your treasured gift to me in that. My life will forever be changed for the better, for having the privilege to know you in these ways!