Today I’ve been reminded of the kindness of other believers: and the wonderful provision of our God. It’s got me thinking about the millions of ways that God has loved me through other people and how thankful I am for friends and for a Lord who puts us in community.
There are too many to list, but here’s some of the folks who have blessed and keep blessing me:
a couple who prayed with us every week when I was really unwell with anorexia and we were both at the end of our rope. They weren’t experts and they had plenty going on in their own lives: but every week they made time for us and welcomed us into their home. They gave us hope when we couldn’t see any and it made us feel like maybe we weren’t weird and that the gospel was big enough for our problems too.
a neighbour who came and weeded our garden (unasked) and planted tomatoes and gave strategic hugs. This was when I was too scared to leave the house and it gave me a wee oasis and a reminder that life outside could be kind and good. Every time I see the tomatoes I smile and think of her.
a church and friends who have loved us and prayed for us and carried us and supported us financially and given us time and flowers and a car and cooked meals and let us be who we are and showed us Jesus.
a man we’d never met who travelled for hours to come and listen to our problems and offer us hope. A counsellor in the states who took the time to reply to our email, when no-one else did.
my old next-door neighbour. She and her husband were bakers and their house was like a second home. Every friday night they invited us in to bake green and blue cookies and we talked about politics and books and life and she never spoke down to me and taught me about an older world and values that stayed the same.
my coffee buddies. You know who you are. I am so grateful for your honesty and humour and warmth and wisdom: when I’m having a bad week you give me a new sense of perspective; you make me laugh and think and feel like I fit.
friends from home: our circumstances change, but you don’t. You remind me of who I am and you’re safe.
online friends: for shared lives and deep connections: even though we haven’t all met.
prayer partners. Thank you so much for taking the time to bring us before God: some day you’ll see what an incredible difference they have made.
Jesus. The still centre that brings us all together.
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel” (Philippians 1:3-5).
Emma, I also thank God for His provision in your life, through all these people! Because you received such grace (truly, the Lord’s extravagant giving), the gifts have overflowed into my life as well. I’ll likely never meet any of your particular community this side of heaven; but, their ministry in yours and Glen’s lives continues to flow through you into mine, as you use your gifts to tell me the good news of Jesus. I pray that from that still Center, as I receive, it will continue to flow yet further outward to others.
Amen sister! And you are a big part of that community x