Rest and Friends

If you saw yesterday's blog post, you saw the craziness that was our Tuesday, and honestly, most days are some version of that kind of busy. None of our days ever look identical, but the trail of chores, appointments, and business looks similar from day to day.

And then there are days like yesterday. The days when our minds and bodies scream for rest, and we do our best to listen, take naps, worry less about the to-do list and more about recharging.

Last night was filled with naps, walks, TV, books, and (of course) coffee.

I treasure nights like that. They remind me that it's okay to rest, and my list-loving soul needs that reminder.

Another thing I've so enjoyed over the last week or so has been the chance to see friends.

Last week, I got to see my college roommate, Christi. I mentioned it in the Shuffle on Sunday and on the podcast, but I just want to say again how lovely it was to spend time with her.

Christi was such a champion of me when we first met back in college. Like most college freshmen, I was trying to figure out who I was and where I fit into this great, wide world, and she was one of several friends God planted in my path to help me sort through it all.

She studied education, and I knew when she graduated that she stood among an elite group of teachers. She would devote her life to education, and not just shoving information into young minds, but exploring those young minds and helping them find themselves like she helped me find myself.

And in various roles, for these last (almost) twenty years, she has done just that. She's faced a few health battles along the way, but her heart for kids beats strong, and she soldiers on to make a difference in their lives.

We spent an afternoon talking, and I didn't want the afternoon to end! She encourages and inspires me, and I wanted to keep learning from her!

Yesterday I had the chance to see another out-of-state friend. I've not known Erica nearly as long, but she's become dear to me, too.

Erica and I have gotten to know each other largely through email, and I just appreciate her so much. She's strong and brave in ways I'm not, and that inspires me. I love her stories, and we've bantered back and forth about the similar roads of life we've walked. (Those roads are easier when you know you don't walk alone.) OH! And we are birthday twins, too. :)

She was visiting family and took time to eat lunch with me, which was a huge treat for me. We saw the whole lunch crowd through and were the only people left in the restaurant by the time we left!

I'm grateful for these two treasures of friends. They're a measure of rest to my soul as well. (As are all the rest of my friends...I need to see more of them more often!)

Rest and friends. I'm so glad God thought of both of them. :)