Friendship is such a gift. In my painting class we’re preparing for a show, “Wag the Tale.” We’re all painting dogs & cats. I chose to paint our dog, Akili, and our granddog, Moose– Forever Friends. They are quite a pair.
Akili is a Rhodesian Ridgeback and therefore a hound dog. Moose is a retriever. They love to run and play together, but Moose wants to chase something- mostly his red frisbee. Akili just wants to chase Moose, or lay in the sun and watch him run. They are so happy when they get to be together despite their differences.
Capturing their faces was hard for me! I found trying to get the tilt of their head just right & the sunlight on their fur challenging. Although it was fun to paint a “white” dog who isn’t really white at all…
Before working on this painting, I got to travel to Hawaii with amazing friends that are like family. It was a long anticipated trip that had to be canceled twice before it finally happened. It was an amazing time together. When we returned home to winter grey from Hawaiian sun, I found myself facing concerns I’d left behind and in post high blues.
I’m studying Philippians, and in 1:18b-19, Paul says, “…I will continue to rejoice for I know that through your prayers, and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.”
Paul is imprisoned for his faith in Rome while writing this letter and Nero is the emperor of Rome- not a safe time to be a follower of Christ. I was encouraged by his choice to rejoice in the midst of hardship, not because it was over. Perhaps the latter type of celebration would be happiness. My default is to focus wanting hardship over, not rejoicing in the midst.
A friend recently said that “Joy is peace laughing, and peace is joy at rest.” She’s not sure where she heard it. I loved that! As I focus on the word peace this year, I see that Paul is able to confidently rejoice during difficulties because He knows God will show up, and part of how He does that is through others’ prayers.
As I studied this, I felt I needed to ask for prayers. Alone in my blues was not a place of hope or victory. So I sent some texts explaining how I was feeling and asking others to pray. I also asked some friends if we could plan coffee, or lunch, or a walk.
Social media is fun, and I enjoy the humor I find there and seeing what others are up to, but it doesn’t meet my need for connection. That happens when I pick up the phone and talk or Face Time with a friend far away, or share a meal or coffee with someone nearby. That way I can get hugs, and hugs are important! Receiving cancer treatment during Covid meant no hugs. I’ll never take them for granted again.
Facing the infection I had recently in December and then it trying to come back in February has been unsettling. I’ve needed the understanding of my support system. Those that have faced cancer understand that new medical appointments dig up old fears. Their companionship on this journey is priceless.
Our forever friends, don’t have to have everything in common with us. We just need to care about each other & listen. Time spent together means burdens shared and we go away from it lighter. Of course for this to happen, we have to be honest about where we’re at, and let them be vulnerable too.
Sometimes it feels like our culture fights us on this. Let’s fight back. Real connection is sustaining and someone in your circle needs you right now. Your text, prayers, and hug will mean the world to them.
LOVE your honesty, Wendy!