a sort of dedication

So I thought it was time for kaleidoscope to get up and running again after being in China. I thought quite a bit about what I should write about first, the biggest thing I learnt, what I was impacted by the most, but the answer seemed fairly obvious. While living in China I learnt how weak we are as human beings and how much we need Jesus and people to be walking with us. I have been blessed with the people who, for some reason, love me through my faults and constant failures. Words fail me when I think of the people who selflessly and willingly decided to walk beside me every step of the way in China, expecting nothing in return, and who are continuing to do just that as I get used to being home.
So I was given a little book with daily readings for the time I was away and one day this was written....

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together, as in the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much more you see the day approaching."

Hebrews 10:24-25

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 John 1:7

A poet once described friends as the "sunshine of life". I myself have found that the day is much brighter when Im sharing it with my friends. Enjoying fellowship is one of life's sweetest blessings and joys...We need friends in our lives, friends with whom we not only discuss the 'deep' issues and confide our secrets, fears and sorrows, but with whom we can laugh, play, and even cry. The best times in life are made a thousand times better when shared with a dear friend...It's a two way street, a street practically lined with balloons and streamers in celebration of the unique bonds of friendship." *

I loved this passage. It pretty much made my life after I got over the "I hate them for reminding me how much I miss them" attitude. Community, fellowship, friendship is so so important, its just how we're wired.

After being back about a week, I was given a book which talked about friendship again...

"Every Christian needs a group of caring people with whom he spends enough time and honesty to have 'covenant relationships'. By this I mean committing ourselves to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ so that we will 'drop everything' to support one another in time of need. To know there are people committed to us in this way is a strenth beyond words, a cord of many strands. Many Christians want such relationships but are not yet willing to spend the time to deepen friendships. Remember that the disciples were not constantly serving others and performing miracles. They walked and talked together, probed personalities, cooked, and ate, etc. On these foundations God built their friendship and committment to one another.

Scripture teaches us that fellowship is not a means to an end (1 John 1:1-4). Too often we see people as instruments to get something done and feel guilty unless we have a discussion agenda or significant reason for getting together. Some Christians need to learn to 'waste time together', to dignify each other by acknowledging: 'You are important enough that I just want to be with you, not to get you to do something or share something.' No one wants to be a function or to be used. People need people because God made us that way." **

This passsage struck me once more. I could pinpoint very specific people in my life that fit this mould exactly. People who took time and energy that could be used for other things, but instead put that into my wellbeing while I was away. People who committed themselves to walking with me. People who seemed to 'drop everything' to support me, often at ridiculous hours of the night. People who think I am important, that I am worth time, worth energy, worth emotion. Theres no point asking why, I can only say thanks and try to be the same sort of friend.

To know there are people committed to us in this way is a strength beyond words, a cord of many strands. Thank you.

* Taken from 'Joy of the Journey'.

** Taken from 'The Strong Weak People: For Those to Whom Perfection Comes Slowly' by Jay Kesler.