more thoughts about God and keeping up with friends

Got back late Sunday night from a whirl-wind trip to San Diego, CA (my first time there) for a friend's wedding. While there, I was able to re-connect with several "old" friends for the first time in years. It was a real blessing to be present, to be a witness of the newly wedded couple's nuptual's. I was really encouraged in seeing where a number of these friends are in their relationship with God. One of the things I found consistent among those who were Christians was the reality of God's faithfulness to each and every one of them. In listening to their stories and hearing about their lives, it was easy to see God's hand at work in each of their lives. I found it personally encouraging to my own faith journey as they shared what God had been doing in each of their lives. It reminded me of the many things that He has done/ is doing in my life and the life of my family. This is just one of the great and important things that friendships serve - reflecting back to us God's glory that is at work within us as we surrender to Him and walk with Him. Though we're all no longer a part of the same faith community, we do share in being a part of the larger community of the big "C" Church, and therefore, we will always be a part of the same community of faith, the Church. It is encouraging to know that we are connected to one another by God, through God, for God. And I praise HIM for these old friends.