Volume 58: Rest in Friendships

 

As you are aware, I love to read and have read hundreds of books... However, only two books have ever made me cry... Can you guess them?? 

Probably not!

A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks and Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. 

Nicholas Sparks' novel pulled at my heart strings and led to just a couple of tears running down my cheeks. But when I say I cried at the end of reading Firefly Lane... it was like a long, real cry... I am still not quite sure what came over me...

Kristin Hannah, as the incredible author that she is, was able to develop such strong character development in her story of friendship. It isn't some crazy story line or climatic plot or crime or mystery or romance or thrill - Firefly Lane is simply a story of two best friends and the life they share together. They created a lot of wonderful memories while also walking through a lot of hard, right by each other, for years. 

As soon as Netflix announced that they were going to turn Firefly Lane into a series, I eagerly anticipated the release. 

And then the day came and I was so excited to watch! But initially, I was disappointed... it felt that Netflix had added too many additions to the friendship, relating to the modern time, probably to get more viewers and keep their attention. But as someone that loved the book, I was mad that they dare change it! 

But, as someone who typically has to finish what I start, I kept watching and am now almost done with the second and final season. And I don't want it to end.... The show has now done the unthinkable - developed just as strong character development as the book. As you get snip-its of Kate and Tully in the different stages of their life, as the viewer, you feel as if you really know them. And somehow begin to feel real emotions in their joys and in their hard. 

With caution to not give spoilers, Kate and Tully had a falling out in their friendship and had gone the longest time without talking to each other. But when Tully saw that she had a missed call from Kate, she immediately dropped what she was doing and the next scene quickly jumped to Tully knocking on Kate's door. There were no details of how she got there or her travel or her thoughts or fears. All we see is Kate's husband open the door and says "What are you doing here?" To which Tully simply stated, "She called."

And in that moment, the series once again had a similarity to the book... it made me cry... 

There is something really beautiful about friendship. True friendship that will show up and love you no matter what. A bond that stands through the storms, the rainbows, the tears, the laughter, and everything in between. The people that know you best and you can be completely yourself.

"Jess, if you had to kick someone out of this house right now, who would it be?" I asked

Without even a thought, she quickly responds "Morgan"

"Jess! What the heck! Why me!!!!"

She replies, "Because you're the only one who asks those kind of questions!"

And we laughed.

In that moment, this morning, everything felt right in the world. Don't worry, my question was not meant to be answered seriously ok! But as I was sitting on the floor, in a room with Maggie, Jess and Alex, my college roommates, I was content. Free to be my annoying self. Fully known and not having to answer questions about what I do or where I live or who my family is. 

Three of my best friends, who I am so thankful for. The friends I may not get to talk to nor see as often as I would like because we all live in different cities, yet the friendship picks right back where it was left off, every time, no matter how long is in between. Friends I could call if I ever needed anything and know that they would be willing to help or love me intentionally. 

There is something really beautiful about friendship that stands throughout the years! From figuring out who we really wanted to be as freshmen in college together to now standing by their side at weddings and celebrating new jobs and moves! A lot of life has happened in between. 

This week, Adeline and I had breakfast with Lisa, a wonderful woman of God at Rock Creek! As she was sharing bits and pieces of her story, the one thing that brought tears to her eyes was when she was talking about her friends. 

She stressed to us the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people. And told us a story of her friend group rallying around Debbie just the other week. Their other friend, Marion, had run into Debbie and recognized that she was struggling and needed her friends! So immediately, Marion rallied the troops and got a hike scheduled for later that week. They spent the hike listening to Debbie and then praying over her. And with tears in her eyes, Lisa repeated, "Who does that!" 

"Who does that!" Ideally, everyone would do this for their friends! But we live in a busy, fast world these days. But how meaningful and impactful is it for friends to slow down and be present for their people. 

There is something really beautiful about friendships that are centered around Jesus and always striving to help one another draw closer to Him, through sharing wisdom and ultimately praying for each other. May we be quick to rally around our people! Who knows when they may really need it! 

This week, at small group, one of the elders from church, Dave, shared a story with us. In my best attempt to paraphrase, going back all the way to TWO THOUSAND AND FIVE, he was going through a rough patch, as his wife was battling cancer. With one of her bigger tests coming up, he was afraid and fearful. 

One of his coworkers, in an effort to care for Dave, invited him to lunch one day so they could catch up. But Dave declined, escaping conversations about his feelings and the whole situation overall. 

However, later that day, Dave came back to his desk and that coworker had left a sandwich on his desk for him. 

Now, you may be thinking the same thing I thought when he was telling the story... is that all? 

Yes, that was the story. But as I have thought about it, it's a powerful story. Dave is a very wise man of God and has surely had many other encounters with God. Yet, he has held on to this small moment of seeing God through the way his coworker loved him with a sandwich over 15 years ago!!

There is something really beautiful about friendships that are outward focused and quick to serve the other! We really never know how God is using us in the smallest of things! May we not miss out and be bold in actually doing the small ideas the Spirit may put in our mind!

Friendship through the years. 

Friendship that shows up and supports. 

Friendship loving in unexpected small ways. 

Man is not meant to be alone! We are meant to have friends! And wow is Christian friendship worth it! And may this generation of social media and loneliness not miss out on the power of friendship!

We all know that friendship isn't always easy, but we are fortunate to have Jesus, the Creator of the Universe, who calls us friend. 

He is the perfect friend. He has known us forever. He loves us no matter what. He is patient and kind. He never forsakes us. He shows himself to us in ways we could never think to ask. The list could go on and on. 

May we become better friends to the people around us by seeking to become more like Jesus! We couldn't love our friends any better than that!