"To love at all is to be vulnerable.
Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal.
Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements.
Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change.
It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."
— CS Lewis
— CS Lewis
I think most of you know that my husband and I moved to Orlando almost three years ago.
We left behind my entire family and some very close friends in North Georgia.
God was good to reconnect our family with some dear friends that we met while in Seminary
nearly twelve years ago.
One thing is for sure...God created us to be in relationships.
...With him and with others.
I know that I'm not alone when I say that
relationships with our family and friends are one of life's greatest gifts and joys.
I'm sure I'm also not alone when I say that sometimes you have to dig deep and do hard work in all of them.
Hopefully, in the end, we experience the most beautiful manifestation of God's work in our hearts
through our relationship to him and the loved ones he's put in our paths.
Continued today in my guest post over at 7294 Cottage Way
We left behind my entire family and some very close friends in North Georgia.
God was good to reconnect our family with some dear friends that we met while in Seminary
nearly twelve years ago.
One thing is for sure...God created us to be in relationships.
...With him and with others.
I know that I'm not alone when I say that
relationships with our family and friends are one of life's greatest gifts and joys.
I'm sure I'm also not alone when I say that sometimes you have to dig deep and do hard work in all of them.
Hopefully, in the end, we experience the most beautiful manifestation of God's work in our hearts
through our relationship to him and the loved ones he's put in our paths.
Continued today in my guest post over at 7294 Cottage Way
This post hit a nerve with me. I've sort of cut myself off from some very good friends lately because I felt like they were just to busy for me. Shame on me. I needed that kick in the pants- thank you!
ReplyDeletein the book I'm reading, it talked about how God created us to be relational human beings...just last night I was reading those words. :) going over to check it out now...
ReplyDeleteSweet Tara, I'm filled with joy that God has given you such a gift of friendship. I imagine you to be a loyal, deep feeling and thoughtful friend.
ReplyDeleteBut I also read your post with a twinge of pain, for these kinds of friendships have not been a part of my story (and I know I'm not alone). I still ask the Lord for a "friend who sticks closer than a brother," but it's hard not to feel discouraged after so many years (decades) of longing.
May you and Tracey enjoy your friendship ALWAYS!
Xo,
Linsey
This is such a good post about friendship. To have a friends through all ones life would be such a blessing! It seems that too may friends get lost in the shuffle of life! :D
ReplyDeleteGirl love that photo. Relationships are vital. I agree 100%.
ReplyDeleteHi Tara! I too believe that God puts people and relationships in our lives for a reason...sometimes the gift of it is obvious and sometimes the reasons are not as apparent, but they are always intentional. This was such a lovely post!
ReplyDelete:) T
This is such a touching story about true friendship. I have been very blessed to have experienced this kind of relationship. I am so glad that you and Tracey have been brought back together. I know you will cherish every moment.
ReplyDeleteLovely post, gorgeous picture!
ReplyDeleteHappy week to you sweet Tara.
xo~
T
So beautiful. I'm sending your post link to my very dearest (non-blog reading) friends. I've never been one to have tons of girlfriends, but I have 4 incredible ones that are like sisters that I've known for most of my life (2 from elementary school and 2 from college) I can't imagine life without them. Since we are scattered all over the country it takes work to maintain the relationships but we do it through calls, visits, hand written letters, and emails. We continue to share all the mundane details of life along with the big moments and the hard and scary stuff too. Loved this post! Thank you!!
ReplyDeletexo, Tessa
WOnderful post... it hits so close to my heart, i really couldn't have sustained my life as a military wife without my relationships... God, loving marriage and my friends.... i've met so many wonderful really good friends then had to move away from them, but they are still sooo important to me.Thank you for showcasing friendships!
ReplyDeletexo,
LuLu
there are always some that require more work than others. this is so heartfelt....you're so sweet. susan
ReplyDeleteI always love coming here.... you are so inspiring :)
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful..Friendship like that is priceless!
ReplyDeleteneeded ole clive's words today as a reminder, thank you for being vulnerable and for sharing you with us...
ReplyDeleteI just read this post over at her blog and left a comment there. So beautiful...and true. ox
ReplyDelete