Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Lunch With Familiar Friends

Yesterday my friends JoAnn, Teresa, Emilie and I met at a little tearoom called Crabapple Corner and had lunch together. It was a long overdue meeting. The four of us have been friends for years and years but had not gotten together in ages. We all went to church together for quite a while and formed a bond that has never been broken!

As you can see by looking at my plate, the food was superb. I had the "Tuesday Special"... Chicken Pasta Salad which came with fresh fruit and club crackers. That and a glass of sweet tea satisfied my tummy tremendously! But the delicious food and cute, trendy tearoom didn't hold a candle to how much I enjoyed "breaking bread" with my friends!

(Teresa, Emilie, JoAnn, & Marilyn)

Last night as I was thinking back over our lunch, two verses of Scripture came to my mind. The first was Proverbs 27: 17..."Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." This verse is so true with this group of ladies. Each of them are long-time Christians and have a solid foundation of Bible under their belts. It's a joy to sit and talk with and learn from them. I truly believe that in knowing them I have become a better person.

The other verse I thought of was Proverbs 17: 17a... "A friend loveth at all times." These three ladies have brought that verse to life for me.

I think I've known JoAnn the longest. For about thirty years now I believe. Since our youngest child was just a baby. She has been a friend through thick and thin. I remember times when my kids were small that she would come over and watch them while Benny was working because I had a migraine and could not get out of bed. She's always the first to arrive with food if I get sick or there's a tragedy in the family. When I sprained my ankle really, really bad she came and cleaned up my house for me. She's one of the most unselfish people I know!

Emilie has long been one of my heroes. She is just about everything that I'm not! She loves life and is not afraid to enjoy it! Traveling, speaking, flying....all that she takes in stride without breaking a sweat! And always with a smile on her face! I still have a letter Emilie wrote to me when my kids were really small and I was having discipline problems with one of them. She just wrote to encourage me and to tell me to not give up. And she was right....soon the problem was righted and solved.

I well remember the first time I met Teresa. When she came in my house she brought her crochet with her and I was just amazed to watch her fingers fly. She's a lefty so it was all backwards to me anyway! :) She was active in Child Evangelism work and knew so much more about Scripture than me. A soft, slow Southern accent marks her speech. I'm not sure I've ever heard her raise her voice. Teresa's had to face a lot of hard issues with her health but you would never know it to be around her. She never complains. I'll never forget the day our son John was having brain surgery in Germany after being medivaced out of Iraq. An IED had blown up and hit him in the shoulder and head. The Marine Corps had advised us to not try and go to Germany so I was anxiously sitting at home w.a.i.t.i.n.g. for the surgery to begin and end. Our dogs began their little "someone's here" bark and I looked out the window to see Teresa and her husband driving up. She came in and gave me a hug and a jar of jelly. Just a soft word, a pat on the shoulder, and then we didn't say too much. There was not a need for words. We knew each other too well. The comfort that her just being there gave was enough. We didn't have to fill up the quiet with words.

I have many other friends and if you're reading this, you're most likely one of them! I thank God daily for all my friends. What would I do without you? My life would surely be a bland sort of existence without the variety of friends that have been brought into my life. Some of you I have known since childhood....and you are so very special to me! Some of you I have known only a short while. You are becoming very special to me! Thank you to each of you who claim me as your friend! What a blessing friendship is! How we should appreciate it more!

Much love to all my friends wherever you are!

Marilyn

8 comments:

Leah Adams said...

Marilyn,

Looks like you had a wonderful time with your friends. I so hope to meet you one day. You should think about coming to the gIRL gathering. I know it would be a step out of your comfort zone, but you would enjoy it so much I think. Ponder on it, my friend.

Leah

Peggy said...

A very nice picture! I don't know 2 of the ladies in the picture but I can say that you and JoAnn are truly a joy to know!
I pray for you as well.

With Love,
Peggy

Beverly said...

Looks like fun and the food yummy. Wish I had been there........

Beverly

De'on said...

Splendid as always. The words and the photos!

I'm nearly desperate to be on FB again. Can't right now because of dizziness. I'm just checking my email is about all. Don't think it's anything to be overly concerned with, as I've had these problems before, usually after being on the computer too long. I see the doctor tomorrow.

You're right, and I love the scriptures. A friend does love at all times, and you've certainly loved me through plenty. Take care and thanks so much for these and for this!

Runner Mom said...

Marilyn, I loved this! You and I are both blessed with some amazing friends that God has placed in our lives! Oh, how I thank Him for that!

So glad that y'all had a wonderful time together and that lunch ...well, I would have enjoyed it too!! There would be nothing left on the plate!
Hugs!
Susan

Jodie Wolfe said...

Hi Marilyn,

I love the photos! I have been blogging about friendships lately too! :) I praise God for the blessing of women friendships that He brings into our lives. I also praise God for you and for blessing me on many occasions through your comments on my blog!

Blessings to you,
Jodie

Debra said...

How blessed you are to have such wonderful, sweet friends. And that looks like some mighty fine eating ya'll had!!!

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I'd love a chance to join you in the tearoom, Marilyn. What a beautiful time of fellowship, food, and friendship.

Nothing can replace a good lunch with kindred spirits. I hope to find some soon. Pray for me along those lines. I'm feeling a bit lost in it all.

peace~elaine