Mutually Encouraged

Happy Friday!

Memorial Day. Three-day-weekend. Lots of sunshine forecasted here in the Inland Northwest. I definitely plan on being outside for most of the weekend.

A dear friend is driving over from Seattle this afternoon. She’s never been here in Coeur d’ Alene, so I’m excited about exploring with her since I’ve only lived here a little less than two years myself. We plan to take lots of long walks and do some cycling, too. Maybe go on a picnic or two. I welcome the time of refreshment with my friend.

I’ve been noticing something. God has given me numerous spiritual rest stops lately. There are some particularly trying circumstances in my life presently that are testing my faith considerably. Some trials are short and intense, others maybe not quite so intense but seem to go on forever. I’m experiencing the latter.

By God’s grace, I’m hanging in there okay. Yet it’s the fact that this trial just doesn’t seem to end that is making me weary. Oh, it will end, I know. I just don’t know when exactly. The weariness comes not from any lack of faith but just the effort it takes to walk in Truth, to believe God is who He says He is. I am positive God knows what He’s doing but I just haven’t understood some of His decisions over the last few months. I fear even now, He’s made yet another that confuses me. He’s not doing things the way I’d like Him to. Not only in my life but in the lives of some of my friends. He’s moving too slowly if He’s acting at all.

But those are just my feelings. Fact is God is always working. This I believe. And it helps me to remember my card game analogy. “God’s always got the trump card.” These circumstances will produce fruit in my life, I know. In the middle, though, I’m just finding myself a bit soul weary. I know y’all can relate! This is life on Planet Earth.

Yet what does my gracious God do for me? He sends me a friend to visit for the weekend. Now that’s blessing enough because Kjersten is very dear to me. But here’s the thing. She is soul weary, too. She needs refreshment far more than I. She’s facing some serious health issues and is in constant pain. Even still, she loves to walk and particularly enjoys cycling, so we will do both.

And all the while we’re out reveling in the sunshine and beautiful scenery here in Idaho, there’s one thing I can count on from my friend. And one thing she can count on from me. We will talk about God’s goodness and mercy and kindness to us. We’ll remember together His faithfulness. See, she and I have about 20 years of history so we don’t have to work too hard to think of ways He’s been kind to both of us! She’s a woman of the Word and Kjersten will be quick to tell me what God is teaching her about Himself, even now . . . especially now.

Yes, God has been so good to me. Kjersten is coming this afternoon. Two weeks ago I attended the women’s retreat at my “home church” in Seattle and saw friends I hadn’t seen in a long time. A few weeks before that I finally caught up with two other dear friends. This was the first time the three of had been together in over ten years! Oh yea, and one of those few other weekends I was home, yet another friend came to visit.

Now lest you think my home is a revolving door for weekend guests, nobody had come to visit in a year. They’ve all been here in the last couple of months. Just when I needed them most.

Besides the sheer fun and encouragement of seeing all these friends, you know what this does for my heart? It reminds me that God is paying very close attention to me. He knows that if things get too hard for too long, I may get discouraged, take my eyes off Him and focus on my circumstances. I don’t want to but it’s so easy to. So He sends friends to encourage me and for me to encourage. And with each visit, our hearts are strengthened and emboldened and refreshed. So like God to be gracious.

I hope you all have a great holiday. No matter your plans this weekend, God wants to show you how much He loves you. Let you know He cares. Refresh your soul. Your only part in this is to want Him to, believe Him that He wants to do this for you.

“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” (The Apostle Paul, Romans 1:11,12)