On Friendship and Pork Chops


There are days, days where the world seems darker than usual, where light seems hidden under that bushel, where I feel my spirit heavy with burdens.

Monday was such a day.

It rained all day in what our weather forecasters would hype up as Stormageddon (and though not tragic, it made my commute more than frustrating). The morning started out with a broken vehicle, a rental car, and a conflict at work. Nothing was going right.

So when one of my dearest friends called and invited me to dinner, I gladly took the offer.

My friend, she has this talent for hospitality. Stepping into her house is like being doused, fire-hose style, with peace. Her house always smells of food--lovingly and gladly prepared for those she loves.

We talked over cocktails with homemade juice and guacamole, and I watched as she prepared a meal fit for a King--pork chops with sweet glaze, spinach salad with goat cheese, chickpea soup perfectly spiced, and peanut butter cookies.

Later, another good friend joined us and as we all sat down together my spirit relaxed in the presence of authentic friendship--surrounded by women who loved me despite where I was (which at that point was nowhere good).

John 15:15, one of the most comforting verses in the New Testament tells us this: Jesus calls us friends.

The God of the Universe....the King of Kings.....wants to be friends with me?

Father, Lord, King--all authoritative titles and part of who He is.

But friend, that is a comforting one. It makes me think of Monday night's meal--sharing, talking, relating, loving.

I wonder if the Last Supper felt a little like that?

I wonder if the disciples stayed not just because of the awe and authority of God's Son, but His friendship too. The way He made them feel--seen, known, loved, accepted.

The way He loved them without judgement, without condemnation, right where they were.

And right where we are too, ready to hear our hurts, our pain, our sorrows. To cry with us, to laugh with us, and mostly just to love on us.

Friends.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends
-John 15:15

Comments

  1. Lovely post. I, too, am so thankful for my friends!

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