Fully Known

“As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:1 (ESV) 

God has just richly blessed me with the friends in my life. These relationships have just grown stronger in the past two years. Old friends, new friends...I just know that I could have never gotten through it all without these women supporting, loving me then and for who I am now.  

"As we see in our key verse, 1 Samuel 18:1, God sometimes knits our hearts with others like He did with David and Jonathan. He puts people in our paths because He knows we’ll need them.

Jonathan was just what David needed at that stage of his life. David was a young shepherd thrust into the spotlight. And based on some of his future writings in the book of Psalms, maybe a little overemotional at times.

David was often overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy and depression, and being hunted by a crazy king. (I can relate to all of these things with the exception of the crazy king.) But Jonathan loved David, believed in him, and sought God’s best for him. Jonathan’s friendship was what David needed to grow into the king and leader he was to become."

- See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/the-miracle-of-friendship/#sthash.D7Y9CJhK.dpuf

Sometimes, well most of the time, the weight of the change of my life and myself, overwhelms me. I reach out and cling to the ones that fully know me to remind me who I am and that also feel comfortable with who I am now. Just the smallest, obscure details of my past, personality, wants, and dreams get over crowded by my day to day worries and tasks of having a child with special needs. So God meets me there with providing a home in the hearts of those who have "laughed, cried, fought and walked the winding road of life with me" (Journey/ May 2015) These friends don't shy away because the don't know what to say, they embrace me as I am on any day...... messy, complicated, sad, strong, fearless, happy, whatever. And they embrace and love my Clara, just as I do. 

"For most of us, our greatest fear and our deepest longing are one in the same; to be fully known. Not from a distance, but up close. Not to be seen, but to be understood. Not to be enjoyed, but to be loved." (Journey/May 2105)

Through the presence of God in my life I have discovered the value of true friendships with others.  

He has very purposely knitted our hearts together so we can find ways to encourage and strengthen each other. Just as he did with David and Jonathan. 

So thank you to all my Jonathans/Davids...Julie, Vicki, Blake, all my sisters in Christ at Aversboro Baptist Church, many teacher friends, old and new friends everywhere. You are one of God's greatest gifts to me.