The Lunch Date

I had the privilege of having lunch with a dear friend today. One who pursued me after a long absence. Daily life just got in the way I guess, for both of us. It seems to get in the way of a lot actually.

My friend is just a two years older than my father,  though I look to her as a grandmother figure in my life. The spiritual grandmother I never had. (for those who do not know me, I was saved at 17, but none of my family was or is following Jesus). I had no christian women in all my years of walking The Way to mentor me. None that is until I move to where I am now just six years ago. It is here that women, two specifically, mentored me. One my age, who is more like a spiritual mother, and the second who is like a spiritual grandmother. Both loved me out of my shell. Speaking life into me. Encouraging me to pursue what God placed in me. They taught me I can be imperfect and still be loved by God. They encouraged me in my parenting, in my marriage, and in my other relationships. Melting my walls and coaxing me to be who God created me to be, instead of being ashamed of who I was. I still have a ways to go of course. Don't we all!

But then just as suddenly, they are now mostly out of my life. I have missed them, and also who they were in my life.

So lunch with my friend. It brought back memories of what things used to be like. The things I miss most. Things like openly speaking of Gods giftings in the other person. Questions like, what had I been hearing from God lately? The encouraging words from someone who really knows me, whom I was safe with. And truthfully, I have not been in that kind of company in so long that I was unable to function in the same way back to her, though I wished deep in my heart that I could have at that moment. I just felt so empty.
As we parted we made plans to see each other once a month. It was good to re-connect. I am glad to know I am not fully abandoned.