“And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:46-47, ESV)
Since beginning this blog, I’ve never felt the urge to write on a Saturday night, but I find myself needing to bang the keys of my computer. As I reflect on my day. And my past.
Beginning February 14th of this year, I began to co-lead a Sunday School class, at my local church.
I was so very nervous that first day.
There were a total of six ladies that first Sunday, including myself and my dear friend that helps co-lead the class.
It was the perfect size.
Not so big, that I would tremble with fear. But still big enough, to confirm what I knew God had called me to….. during this season of life.
It has been about four months since that first day. And with that time, additional ladies have joined our group.
But it still remains the perfect size for this moment in time…….
Still small enough that we have the time to chat…. all with each other, before we begin our Sunday lesson.
Still big enough to have a few people out and still hold a class…. with one person more than just myself.
Why do I reflect on this tonight?
Well, today…. four of us ladies in the Sunday School class, were able to get together in a home atmosphere.
We broke bread together……
Chinese bread….. or, what we call sesame chicken, pepper steak, cantonese chicken, egg rolls, and then, add on a few more items. 🙂
We laughed as one friend showed me how to hold chopsticks. So of course, I could eat my Chinese food properly. Lol
Then we laughed even more when another friend wouldn’t let me have a fork. Well, at least until I had ate a few bites…. with my uncooperative-wooden-stick utensils. Lol
Then we laughed even harder and louder, when the last friend showed up and said, “No chopsticks for me. I need a fork NOW, so I can eat.” Lol
These are all new friends. Gained, in just the last few months.
So now of course, I can’t help but think about how precious friendships are. They leave an everlasting impression on our lives. They change us. Mold us. Encourage us. And just leave us knowing that we’re not alone in this world.
I don’t know where these friendships will go in the future. But I do know God has a plan for them. A plan to birth a newness, that can’t be labored on our own.
So now you may wonder, “What today had to do with my past?”
Well……
I can’t help but reminisce, on a time of about four to five years ago now. With my very best friend in this world.
My marriage was falling apart. Or at least, it felt that way, at that time. I was TOTALLY broken.
So I gave this friend, my best friend, a call. As soon as I heard her voice, I began wailing. Then before I could even get a word formed, from my quivering mouth, she said, “Come over. Let’s talk.”
She only lived five minutes away. Even so…. when I got there, she was already…. getting everything ready…. to break bread with me.
She had eggs on the stove. Grits in the microwave. And was readying toast to serve with the meal.
….. And let’s not forget the sweet smell of coffee brewing for her best friend.
….. And this was about 2 am in the morning, too.
She had been dead asleep. But woke up for me.
And was now…. readying a moment to break bread with her best friend.
To this day, she is still my best friend in this world. Just the physical space between us has grown further apart. She now lives over two hours away.
But that growing space hasn’t kept us from talking routinely. Praise God!
So with all of this reflection. From today. And the Past.
I wonder…….
“What does God have in plan for these new friendships? And old friendships?”
Only He knows.
Thank you Lord for the friends we can break bread with! Godly friends that honor You. In the midst of anything else that might be going on in this world.
I do pray that each of you reading this, has at least one friend like this. A Godly friend.
If you don’t, pray for one. God will send one your way. This type of friendship will bless your soul. I promise.
God bless! Love you all!
