When Friends Come to Visit...

 

                God has been teaching me many things this year. Some lessons seem to take root more easily than others, but I’m learning, just the same.

                One of the lessons that I continue to wrestle with is how to manage my/our time when it comes to others’ expectations. We’re both really good managers of our time. We know how to be productive, and we know how to rest. But we both struggle when we sense that other people have expectations of how we should spend our time…and those expectations don’t always match our own.

                We are learning that it’s not only okay…but it’s necessary…to have time at home. Lots of time at home. I have so much more to write about this, but I need to learn it a bit more fully before I try to share it.

                But we have been intentional this summer about being home, and because we have, some of our friends have been able to come see us. What a gift that has been! There are so many more I hope will be able to come, but for the ones who have so far, we have been grateful.

                Saturday afternoon, some friends from the Kokomo area came to see us, and we were thrilled they were willing to make the drive. It had been a couple of years since we saw them, though I’m thankful for the gift of emails, texts, and social media that keep us caught up on each other.

                Saturday was hot, but we sat on the patio for a while, rocking, enjoying the boost of air that the fan gave us, and watching the quiet lake while we caught up. We headed out for a boat ride, and Ryan drove as fast as our little lake’s speed limit would allow just to stir up enough of a breeze to allow us to breathe in the heat and humidity.

                Lexi lived her best life, running from one to the next, offering hugs and licks.

                We moved the party to the living room so we could take advantage of the air conditioning, and then we gathered around the table for dinner.

                It wasn’t an elaborate meal, but it was tasty! We kept the conversation going while we ate, and then it was time to take group pictures and say goodbye – with many hugs.

                These are my favorite gatherings. They aren’t Pinteresty. They aren’t fancy. They’re just hanging out on the patio, taking some laps around the lake, and lots of talking with a little bit of eating. But I’ve learned to find great joy in that kind of simple.

                I’m glad we were home so they could come to visit. I’m glad they were willing to make the long drive. I’m glad we could catch up. And I’m glad for friendship.