I've been in a bit of a funk lately. It happens from time to time. My sleep schedule gets thrown off and I choose to snuggle deeper into the warmth of the covers rather than rise early to snuggle into the arms of my Father and dive deep into His word. It only takes a few days until the melancholy sets in and the attitudes in my house plunge. I know in my heart what I need to do, but the funk is so thick that I struggle to do it. Fortunately, God sees and knows and often sends in reinforcements to kick my butt into gear and get back on track.
I met Jill in Virginia about 3 1/2 years ago. She had four kids and was from small-town Indiana. We met at a homeschool sharing night, and being new to the area, she asked me if she could follow me out of the development to the main road so that she wouldn't get lost in the dark. So, I got lost instead and she patiently followed me as I drove her around and around the development until I finally figured out how to get back to the main road. I knew she'd either think I was a ding-dong and love me forever, or not. Fortunately for me, she chose the former. We were immediate kindred spirits. She was a breath of fresh Mid-west air in what could be very stuffy Northern Virginia. (Don't get me wrong, I loved it there, but strangers look at you like you're crazy when you try to talk to them in the grocery store! It's just not Indiana.)
She was jealous when we moved back to Indiana, but, soon after, they moved to Louisiana, and after only eight months, they moved to Illinois, outside of St. Louis. It's been great as we've gotten to see them a few times during quick stops on their way to visit family in Indiana. Every visit has brought that same breath of fresh air that I appreciated so much in Virginia. I realize now, it's not just Indiana, it's Jill. So this week, while her husband is on travel, I decided to pack up the kids and go visit her. It turns out she was in a funk too! God knew! So we talked and talked and talked and talked and stayed up late talking, and she made me laugh, and she laughed at me. :) Yes, it was just what I needed:
a friend who knows me and loves me anyway,
a friend who understands my heart and is willing to share her own,
a friend who loves my kids and knows the feeling is mutual,
a friend who's not afraid to be real, and gives me the freedom to be real with no fear of rejection,
a friend who can both encourage and challenge me in the Lord, and let's me know how God has used me in her life too.
Friendships like those don't come along everyday and it's hard to be separated from fabulous friends. It would be nice if four and a half hours were just around the corner, but at least it's not eight or ten or twelve or twenty! The kids are happy too!
Dearest Jill and kids,
Thanks again for allowing us to come invade your house with our craziness!
We love you guys!
Love, Us
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