Last night, Stac was tired and I was not. For some reason, a wave of nostalgia hit me and so I called Mom to see if she was still up and went over to dig through a couple of boxes in the top of my old closet. These boxes hold most every note, letter and card that I have ever received. Why I still have all that, I couldn't tell you, but it is nice to journey back and read those notes from time to time. And last night, I was reminded why.
First it is always neat to look back and see just how many folks cared about me back then. I mean, I really didn't remember a lot of the love that was expressed in those notes through either folks sharing their concerns with me or being concerned about something I was going through. I wish I could be back in that place for a bit to see if I was aware of that at the time, or if I was so consumed with my own life, that maybe I missed it altogether.
The second reason, and maybe it should be first, is that it is awesome to see how God was moving through my relationships back then. I guess mostly college is where I am referring now, but from Freshman year on, God brought some pretty incredible folks into my life. I found pictures from beach trips, campouts, parties, nights at the bridge. Man, what a rich time of fellowship that was for me. What an incredible shelter we provided each other. It's funny, more than a handful of the pics are little polaroids from Cheeburger, Cheeburger...I'm fairly certain that those pics were taken just after a "Group Therapy" had been consumed (20oz. before cooking), and yet somehow I was always smiling. I couldn't imagine doing that today, but back then, I'd polish off a basket of fries along with it.
You know, as life crawls along, it is really easy to let memories like the ones I reread last night to get tucked away into the dark recesses of your mind. The memories are then covered over with grocery lists or pressing things at work, a death in the family, worrying about how your child is doing in school...wow, the list of things that try to rob our joy is so long. But those memories, no matter how deeply covered, no matter how old and tattered when you finally unearth them, contain something that is not found often today. They contain a reminder of God's provision in my life through the lives of others. Those who were, and are, very dear to me.
Over the last year, I've been learning again how important it is to invest in real relationships. Certainly spousal relationships, but I also am talking about the fellowship that comes from having that tight knit group of folks that know you like few others...and that you are getting to know that way as well. My guys from my small group are just that.
Remember what I was saying yesterday about it being God's nature to provide for us. I mean, He literally died to do it right. One of the major ways that He can provide for us is through real relationship with others on the same journey we are on. Isn't that what made college such a special time? We were all experiencing many of the same emotions as it related to being on our own and trying to prepare for the rest of our lives. The men in my small group are little different in that respect today. We are all trying to be gainfully employed husbands and/or fathers...and we are all trying to increase the influence of Christ on those that we encounter.
George and Mary Bailey know about as well as anybody...No man is a failure who has friends! In that case, I feel that I might be the most successful man you know.
Lord, I am so humbled as I realize how You have loved me. The people that You have brought into my life have blessed me in ways that I could never repay. It is hard to miss that the marks they leave on my life are more from your fingerprints than theirs. Thank you so much for all of them, then and now. I lift them all up to you and pray for their confidence in You, their remembering Your provision. Your love reaches to the heavens, and faithfulness to the skies. In the name of Jesus...Amen.
Playing today on my soundtrack of life:
Your Love Oh Lord - Third Day
Tattered Old Kite - David Wilcox
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