Sunday, June 7, 2015

The Sheer Joy of Kindred Spirit Companionship


Sometimes we've just gotta get out of our own heads, you know?  The endless swirling of our own giant-sized thoughts, the wholehearted self-absorption of our own neediness, the tunnel visioned focus of what's on our own personal plate.

Sometimes we've just gotta take a very purposeful break and tell those iron-sharpening-iron souls in our lives that we truly desire to be in their company and invite them to do life together with us even for just a few precious hours.  And to flexibly follow the Spirit's gentle nudges as we gather side by side.

To pull up rickety chairs 'round the table and break bread one with the other ... even if it's just take out.  To sit outside on a cool evening, cozying under an afghan together even as the sun sets low while the conversation deepens.  To answer 'yes, please' to a repeated offer from a friend who would like nothing better than to lend a hand.  Or do a luscious brunch overlooking the river that flows north and south ... and then grab well-worn sneakers for what seems to be a 50 mile hike back and forth over that river's footbridge on the most glorious sabbath afternoon ever.

These gatherings with kindred spirit companions are sheer joy and a much-craved grace, even more so during seasons of uncertainty, of transition, of change.  The conversation is easy, stories are shared, the laughter flows, there might be a tear or two that falls.  We are stretched and replenished, refueled for the journey ahead.  For we each bring out the absolute best in one another as we point our companions to Christ in the most natural and needful ways.

And when all is said and done, we find that the weekend was not at all about us.  That life goes on beyond our own four walls.  And that it's good, very good, to be totally other-absorbed.  And we can't help but smile as we praise God that those kindred spirit friends are in our lives.  For good.

No matter where our divergent pathways may lead in the unknown days ahead.







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THE TRANSITION JOURNEY ~ AN UNEXPECTED SERIES








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stopping in to visit
  Kelly  .  Jennifer  .  Mary  .  Holley  .  Lyli

45 comments:

  1. AMEN--nothing more needs to be said, Friend!

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    1. Thanks for your generous benediction at the end of this refreshing weekend, Lulu. You're the icing on the cake, girl!

      Rest well ...

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  2. Dear Linda, when we stop thinking about our giant ideas, God opens our eyes to people who really need our company. I am grateful for the reflection today.
    PS: I did some whit space upgrade on my blog. I am loving it! hahaha! thought I let you know your lectures on blogging mean a lot to me.
    Giant Strides for you friend, keep marching on this new week.
    God Bless

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    1. Just popped in real quick to see your brand new white space, Ifeoma! LOVE it, friend! A warm and welcoming beginning to this brand new week!

      I hope it's a good one for you!

      ;-}

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    2. Thanks Linda. I am catching up. I am excited too.
      God Bless

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    3. Your enthusiasm is contageous, girl!

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  3. Yes to the all of the above. My weekend was very much like yours, a slowed-down pace, family time, and lots of breathing in what is all around me. I sure would have loved to have been on the river walk with you!!! Hugs to you!!

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    1. We're big fans of the WALKWAY OVER THE HUDSON. If you ever have a chance to be in the Mid-Hudson Valley, the vista from this former railroad bridge is just sublime. Always lots of fun to get fresh air, stretch your limbs, bump into friends and neighbors, and soak in the water views.

      Have a restful week as you begin to exhale and process and relax. And once again, CONGRATS, friend! Your retirement is one great big milestone to celebrate!

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  4. Oh yes, Linda. This was good for me to read this morning. I'm glad you are able to experience such moments of refreshment during this busy time.

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    1. Refreshment's the perfect word. I am ready to roll into the busyness of this week! Thanks, Lois, for kicking it off with us here! I hope it's a good one for you!

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  5. Hi Linda. This is a wonderful post. We just went to visit some friends who we haven't seen in a long time, this past weekend. The wife has been sick with cancer and recently went into remission. It was so good to just slow down and enjoy laughs and home cooking with our buddies. We don't have times like that enough.

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    1. They must have been overjoyed to have you join them, to celebrate her remission, to enjoy good conversation {and yummy food!}

      So glad this could happen for you all. God is good!

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  6. A break sounds fantastic right about now.. life has been tossing me around quite a bit recently! - www.domesticgeekgirl.com

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    1. Sorry to hear that life's been tossin' you around, Gingi. May you be calmed and re-energized by God's gentle, sustaining love.

      I'm praying for you even as we speak, friend ...

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  7. So many truths here, Linda. We do need to say "yes" more often than we do when others offer to help. It's about much more than just the physical help anyway.... Glad you were able to find the joy of others in your weekend.

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    1. Why do we feel like we've gotta be so self-sufficient and self-reliant? Is it pride ... or a bit of that old control freak creeping out?

      We do tend to isolate during stressful times, don't we ... and those are the precise occasions where we need to be connected with others who are more than willing to walk the path with us.

      Thanks for being here tonight, Lisa ...

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  8. So true, and so well-said!

    www.blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com

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  9. What a beautiful weekend, Linda. Beautiful friends are a true gift. So valuable. Add so much to our lives. #RaRaLinkup

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    1. Priceless those people in our lives are, yes, Betsy ...

      Thanks for coming by this morning!

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  10. Sounds like a sprinkling of God's grace, my friend. May your week continue seasoned with His love!

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    1. 'A sprinkling of God's grace' ... beautifully spoken, dear June, and gratefully experienced. Definitely!

      ;-)

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  11. Linda, I love opportunities to escape my own thoughts and enjoy the easy conversations among friends. Cheering you on as you walk through this move, knowing Jesus has good plans for you. #RaRaLinkup

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    1. Yep, those easy conversations breathe life into uncertain times, anchoring us to what matters most.

      I'm glad you're here, Crystal ... truly!

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  12. Linda----Three cheers for friends....when a friend can help, it can bring some reality and much needed closure to a situation. Thanks for letting us all share your moments that are good and not so good.

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    1. You have always always been there for me, buddy. You are, most certainly, a forever friend. And you KNOW I thank God on every remembrance of you!

      Looking forward to making more memories with you by the deep blue sea!

      ;-)

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    2. Ditto and the deep blue sea is calling my name!!!!

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  13. "And that it's good, very good, to be totally other-absorbed." Amen to that.

    Just full of love and grace this post is. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, friend.

    Much love.
    xoxo

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    1. I just love that you've come by this afternoon, Beth! Only wish it could be in person, ya know?

      Thanks for staying in this little community with us ... I'm so grateful!

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  14. I love my kindred spirit friends and the refreshment they bring!

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    1. Life would be awful lonely without companions on the journey, wouldn't it, Sarah ...

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  15. I'm so glad you're soaking up all of these delicious and delightful times with friends, Linda. I'm sure that you wish you could pack up these wonderful friends who have done life with you for so many years in your moving van and take them to the coast with you! But since you can't do that, you can at least take all the hugs and lovely brunches with friends that you can fit in before your big move! You deserve the warmth and encouragement that friendship can bring! Love ya!

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    1. Delicious and delightful says it all, Beth! In every way. I'm soaking up the loving support ... and being reminded again how much I loved opening up my home along the way. A restaurant meal is fun, but there's nothing quite like breaking bread over your own table.

      Even if it is take out!

      Note to self ~ don't forget this as you move ahead!

      ;-}

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  16. Oh, time with girlfriends who really know us, love us and sharpen us are so refreshing! They are good gifts, these friendships, this side of heaven. Visiting today from Coffee for your Heart.

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    1. You hear my heart, Lisa! I'm so glad you're here today ...

      ;-}

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  17. Linda,
    Sometimes it takes effort and work to find rest and enjoy it, doesn't it? (Maybe it's just me!) Especially when you're in a busy season of transitions, it feels indulgent but it's sometimes exactly what we need to go on with the rest of our journey! So glad you can enjoy this time with those in your life who are kindreds -- I just love what you said about flexibly following the Spirit's leading -- lovely imagery!

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    1. A friend is coming over to help pack this afternoon. But it's been so long since we just sat together, that I'm throwing those plans to the wind and just want to enjoy her company out on the back porch.

      I'll pack later.

      ;-}

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  18. Grace, love and peace is this post. I feel like I just went on a warm walk with a friend. Thank you! Cheering you on from the #RaRalinkup with Purposeful Faith.

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    1. How cool that you've experienced that warm walk with a friend here, Kelly. You hear my heart, girl! And it just doesn't get much better than that ...

      ;-}

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  19. So true. I think that when we stop going to others, or letting others help us in our walk of faith and in our journey toward righteousness, it will be our demise. As much as we like to think we do (there's that darn pride thing again, that should be a four letter word, LOL), we do not have all the answers. There is One that does, and He has equipped each one of us with gifts to help others.

    Linda, I cannot stop drinking in those gorgeous flowers. Some of my very favorite. Feels like you can just sink into them. I have them on my kitchen counter right now. I wish they were around all year long, but then maybe I wouldn't appreciate them as much. Blessings to you.

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    1. It's way too easy to isolate and hide away during tough times, isn't it, Kim? And that's when we need our faithful companions more than ever instead of pushing them aside.

      Thanks for taking the time to visit with me ... loved seeing you again!

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  20. I needed to read this post again today (especially the first sentence!). Thanks for linking it up at Thought-Provoking Thursday so that I could be reminded. xo :)

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    1. Yeah, I need to keep those first words front and center right about now, too, Lyli. So good of you to let me know I'm not the only one ...

      Have a great weekend, friend!

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  21. Such a great post Ms. Linda. Each day as I pray, I make sure to pray for our friends and family and our friends who ARE family. My daughter and I love Ann of Green Gables and we often speak of those in our lives who are "bosom friends." Oh how they enrich our lives.

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    1. Ms. Linda. That's cute! I don't know if anyone's ever called me that!

      You're sweet!

      ;-}

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Welcome to the table, friend!

This is where we gather and hang out. I'd love for you to pull up a chair and jump right into the conversation. Or simply say 'hello.'

l'll be dropping in to visit you sometime soon ...

Linda

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