Knit Together In Love

It was a beautiful day yesterday sitting on the deck by Lake Walden celebrating my dear friend, Sarah's, birthday!
A wonderful group of ladies took time out of their day to share their love with our treasured friend.
Most of us have been friends since childhood and we laughed about old memories.
We were blessed to have in attendance her mother and mother-in-law who joined in on the fun plus a few young ladies and a handful of children who scurried around us to offer up a delightful mix of youthful energy!
The sun warmed us nicely on this beautiful fall day!
We sang hymns.
Were angels chiming in?
It was beautiful.
Everyone wrote a memory of Sarah and then a question for her to answer.
It was quite fun!
We laughed and reflected and even received a few wonderful lessons on family, faith and the latest rage in household paint colors.
A few opened up about minor or major struggles.
We listened.
We learned.
We laughed.
We shared.

You know what?
We loved!
We loved being together.
We loved being in the fresh air.
We loved the fellowship.

This morning is a new day.
We hear of death and sorrow and heartache.
Our hearts are aching for friends who've loved and lost.
We ache over sickness and loss and uncertainty.
One day our hearts are filled with joy.
The next heartache and sorrow.

I am reminded of what is precious in this life.
Love.
And the relationships we've been blessed with.
God is reminding me that our relationships are the most important thing we have on this earth!
The love of our Heavenly Father the most important relationship of all!
He lovingly calls us to Him, wants us to confide in Him, talk to Him, listen to Him!
He's our Best Friend!
Our Best Friend Forever!
He is constantly giving us unexpected gifts of love:
~a friend out of nowhere.
~a conversation of comfort.
~a smile from a stranger.
~a quiet moment to hear His voice.
~a small child to hug.
~a glorious sunrise.
~the joy of a birthday, a celebration, a birth.
~the comfort only He can give when our hearts are broken.
Can we find joy in that?
When our joy is lost, He gives us His!

Let us find the time to love.
We were created in love~it is part of our identity.
Enjoy it!
Celebrate it!
Give it away!

Life is a gift.
Love is a gift.

"That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love,"
Colossians 2:2