Oh my… life does scat right along, doesn’t it? Okay, did I just sound like an OLD WOMAN? Yes, I did, just call me MeeMaw.
Anyway, on to the point if I can find one ….. last summer I was in a Bible study with several of my local girls. I loved it! Something so laid back and casual about summer Bible study. This summer our wonderful hostess and leader, Caprice, decided to do another Bible study. (I think the nine long months of the school year made her long to have chatty, off-topic encouraging, bunch of women … oh wait, that’s just me).
This year we are doing a study I did eight years ago with some dear girlfriends. I love looking back at that old Bible study workbook and reading the words of a younger version of me. Some things are exactly the same — apparently I’ve got some issues I’m still struggling with. Other things have changed so much.
The first time I did this study my girls were 9 and 15 and now they are 17 and 23 — my word!
The first time I did this study I was struggling to figure out who I am in Christ, today I know who I am in Christ. I may not always act like it, but I do know it.
Just the other night, I sat around a table with the same girls I did that Bible study with eight years ago. We’ve all changed a little. No longer do we talk about grade school teachers and summer day camps. Most of our children are grown and we have a few grand-babies in the mix. We don’t have the innocence we once had, as we’ve walked some hard roads together. We don’t see each other as much as we once did, because we’ve scattered like a dandelion blown for good luck.
This is the first time that all six of us have been together in a long time. We get together several times a year, but it’s rare that we all make it. All six of us together is such a treat and a joy.
Even with the hard roads, some sad deception that entered our midst, and rare get togethers, when we’re together we always manage to laugh until our sides ache.
The younger me remembers the days when these friendships were nothing but goodness and fun. Today these friendships are precious and true. We’ve been through some stuff together — some good and some bad, but we’re still standing.
In this whoosh of time from eight years ago until today, I realize that the bonds of these friendships were strained but they held. Today I realize the enemy saw a group of Godly women who love Jesus and each other and he set his sights on us. This older, smarter me knows that it is only in Christ that we are still able to sit around that table and laugh. In Christ, we will continue to stand and our friendships will stand on the foundation of Christ. — and the knowledge that no one else would get the onion rings joke!
I know of what you write, my friend. My small group has been together since 2001 and we have walked us some miles in those years. However, we still love each other and still love loving on Jesus and learning about Him.
Leah
a friend in Christ…is a friend that sticks with you….even when years and miles separate you…that common bloodline keeps you together…I just loved this post….a wonderful walk down memory lane (does that sound like an old person) You bet it does!
beautiful. . . something i’ll continue to look for and invest in as i grow- women of God!
Precious to read about your friendships and what time does to them. Love that they held together through the good and bad times. And I’m thankful to know you know who you are in Christ.
And I don’t really like onions rings, oh yeah, you didn’t ask me.
Hugs!
Made it to Bozeman, MT today. Relaxing in the hotel while it rains. 🙂
Hi there! I popped over here from “Tea with Tiffany” and found a joyful place. I like your idea to go over a certain Bible study again and to review our old notes. What a great way to remember and acknowledge God’s blessings! I know that in the past 8 years I have grown and it is all thanks to the loving shaping of my Lord.
Living for Him, Joan