More than three years ago, we packed up a bright yellow Penske truck with all of our belongings and left all that was familiar. God had called us, and we answered.
Feeling a little bit Abrahamic– we left our town, our friends who were more like family, and everything we thought we knew and moved to a town in Georgia.
A town that for years was nothing more to us than a Starbucks half way between our parents and our home in North Carolina.
Because so many told us to visit a particular church, we did so within 48 hours of arrival in our new “home.” And found an instant solace there among other believers.
There was difficulty in those first few months. We struggled to settle in and lost a baby to miscarriage. We clung to each other and to Christ and felt Him pulling us to look deeper for a close community within our church.
Then we found them. That group of other families in our stage of life who wanted to know God better. And to know us. We were on our way to finding home.
The first few weeks were less than easy for me. Each Tuesday night, the drive home from our Ladies’ Bible Study group involved me crying to myself, crying to a friend left behind in North Carolina, crying out to God… “This is so exhausting… We don’t really know them… they don’t know me…. they don’t know our story… they don’t know who we are.” Worn down and wrung out from the constant re-telling– I questioned if I would EVER feel like they were family. I questioned if we would ever feel the joy of being known and known well.
But God poured His grace out on us. He cracked open our hearts with hope. Thank goodness they kept asking. We kept sharing our story… and asking questions to learn theirs.
And now? More than three years later? They are those we share life with. We share burdens and heartaches. We share lessons as we learn them. We share gifts. We share answers to long- prayed prayers. We love on each other’s babies. The babies we prayed would be born healthy and strong despite concerns. We share meals. We share Coffee and community and so much more.
And when I waved from the porch and then closed the door behind the last one of them that last night they were over I went to my sink– and I saw a pile of dirty forks. Forks enjoyed with a hearty dose of laughter and chocolate cake. Each one representing a former stranger who was now a close sister.
And I thanked God for my story. And the strength HE gave in the telling of it. And the Grace He gave to listen to theirs. And most of all, for the JOY of knowing and being known in the love and community of Christ.
Linking up with Five Minute Friday over here!
This gives me so much hope, Cynthia! I can’t tell you how long my husband and I have been searching for our community, and feel like we’ve told our story one thousand times. I needed what you wrote today to show me that God has those “do life with” friends for us, too! Thank you for this beautiful story of hope!
I’m so glad Chandra! Praying you find that community soon!!! So thankful for this little writing community we have too!
This was sooo good! I can relate as we have moved a few times in our marriage and it is so sweet when you go from being someone new to part of the family.
Love this post, Cynthia! I’m new in my town and have found a wonderful church where I’ve been asked to lead the women’s ministry. Still missing a good friend, a small group, a community of people that choose to be together. Prayerful and expectant over what God will surely provide.
Oh these words! What a wonderful example of God’s grace and provision to a couple devoted to trusting in Him and answering His call. Even when we can’t see the future, He does. And when we are in His will, it is always good. I have a similar story of friendships born from a period I thought I’d never have them. And how sweet they are now. Thank you for sharing your story. I love your heart and the way God leads you to tell it. Blessings FMF Sister. 🙂
I have tears on my cheeks as I read about your comfort in your new space, they are tears of hope. I am a little behind you having uprooted our family 20 months ago for a move from NC to middle TN. My FMF post was on a similar joy, the one of seeing my kids joy beginning to return even though they miss their grandparents and cousins desperately. Moving is so hard, finding your people, your tribe, the ones who will fill the holes in your heart. Thanks for sharing your joy.
Beyond a doubt this was one of the most precious, poignant and compelling expressions of the Joyful rewards of engaging with other believers that I have ever read.
You show your courage here. We all know it takes some to reach out and open up. It’s a challenge for me…thanks for sharing this!
Thank you, Ginger! It is such a challenge, and honestly I’m not really sure it ever gets easier. Maybe we just learn the value of opening up? But it’s hard no matter what. Thank you for stopping by.