The Joy Friends Bring

Year before last, there was a slight rumbling within me.  I needed more time with people.  I'm thinking these rumblings happen off and on through out my life.  A little rhythm that circulates between a need for fellowship and for solitude.  I knew that I needed it, but I wasn't sure how much or even how.  Because lets face it, no body wants to be a needy friend all the time and when you're new in town, you don't know how everything works.  With God's direction, a group of us got together one evening at church for a time of devotion and fellowship.  It was a small gathering at the church the first time.  It was quite nice actually.  It warmed a spot.  We decided to do it again, and at someone's home.  Now here it is a year and few months later and we are still gathering together once a month. It has not been easy.  We have waxed and wained but we continue to meet.  It is even more enjoyable now than it was when we began.  It has become more than what it was that first night together because we have come to know one another and to be keenly aware of one another in other parts of our lives.  I guess I should just speak for myself, but it does feel that is true for all of us. 
From that I have started to encourage more small gatherings in my life.  Different folks enter in to those circles and make their way.  Some come and some go, some remain consistent through out all of them.  It's really quite beautiful to see the rhythm and to hear it interacting with other people.  Sometimes there are crashes and some times the moments slip away before I am fully able to grasp them.  But one thing is certain that this time that I spend with my sisters once a month has stirred within me a great yearning to grow and build and risk and laugh and to be.  Thank you for that, kind sisters.