Welcome Home Sweet Friend

It’s been a little over a year since we last met. Time seems to have flown by, taking all good intentions with it. Vibrant red Colorado leaves fall from my maple tree, leaving bare-boned branches naked for all to see. Before the leaves complete their steady downward descent, the wind whisks them away in a whirlwind of color. Merrily they dance, waltzing effortlessly down the sidewalk until they rest at your feet.

And there you stand.

I can remember the first time we met as clear as day. The conversations we had surrounding the concepts found in the book Just Be are still fresh in my mind. The hours filled with hot tea, banana bread, and warm blankets amidst the cold backdrop of a wintery morning. The hours of digging deep, daring to dream and to Just Be who God created us to be.

To this day, I can sense God gently nudging me towards living a life focused more on what He is trying to do in my character, rather than basing my life on outward accomplishments. My heart skips a beat as I see you standing there, as if my long lost daughter, sister, and friend has finally ventured home.

Your hair has grown since we last saw each other. It blows gently in the wind as the sun kisses each strand.

You look vibrant and full of life.

An unspoken joy marks your every step as you walk up my patio, past the porcelain pumpkins and straight to the house. All pretense aside, I fling open the door and am unsure of who ran into whose arms first. All I know is that we are now embracing each other in a bear-like hug with a mutual desire to never let go. It’s funny how you can form such a strong bond as friends in such a short amount of time. We release each other and laugh as tender tears glisten our eyes.

“Welcome home, sweet friend. It’s been too long,” I say lovingly.

Your warm smile fills the room. You walk in with an assurance, as if this home is your home. You take your shoes off at the front door and as you turn towards me, I place a gift in your hands. You hold the beautifully wrapped package with anticipation.

As you unwrap it, each tiny tear in the paper brings you closer to the present that lies beneath. Finally you open the box and therein lie the fuzziest slippers you’ve ever seen. Straight out of an UGG catalogue, complete with hard sole bottoms just in case you ever want to wear them outside. You look down and see that I am wearing the same gloriously shaggy slippers. “I got us matching ones,” I say with a chuckle.

“That way you can always remember that no matter how far apart we are, we walk together. You are never alone on this journey.”

We make our way to the living room, giddy to simply be together. There, displayed for all to see, is a mouthwatering breakfast, waiting for us to partake. Exceptionally made crepes with thinly sliced strawberries. Delicious brown velvet Nutella ready to drizzle on each and every bite. Homemade whipped cream towering in scrumptious white crests. Candied bacon fragrance fills the air, making our mouths water. It is a feast for royalty. A visible representation to show us how valued we truly are in the sight of God. This feast will fill our tummies.

But there is another banquet God has prepared for us today as we journey together. It is a feast that will fill our spirits.

It is rich. It is good. It is extravagant. We are destined to be at His table today. We fill our plates and sit in front of the crackling fireplace, then begin to share what God has done in our lives over the last year. I can feel in the depths of my heart that this is going to be a great day.

"May God guide and direct every aspect of our conversation as we talk about what it means to be truly courageous in the weeks to come."

Photo Credit: Elina Fairytale on Pexels