There was this little get-together at my kitchen table this week. A couple of my closest friends came, one lady I’d never met before, and one of my co-workers. We ranged in age from 24 to 77. Yep, you read that right!
You’re probably wondering what in the world women from all these different generations could possibly have in common- but women are women, no matter the age. Deep down inside, we’re just the same. And we all love a slice of cheesecake, a good story, woman-to-woman wisdom, and some encouragement!
Each of us prepared a dish, and the perfect meal came together. We sat and chatted at that table for over an hour and listened to one another tell fun stories, played charades and had a blast laughing at ourselves – and each other! We encouraged one another with personal struggles, laughed over funny stories, and we even cried about a recent bit of bad news one of us received that day. And then – we prayed.
I am certain I missed some of the chatter at the dinner table, but that was only because I was sort of glancing around the table at just the six of us, realizing how very lucky I am. My friends are not only willing to drink out of mason jars (I am suspicious of people who don’t), but they are even excited to come over after a long day of work in their pajamas. Yes, one of my friends walked across the street in her pajamas.
Women. All ages. A variety of backgrounds, and all different stories. Each of us intimately familiar with both the joys of this life, and the struggles of heartache and loss. Each of us also keenly aware of how good it is to sink your teeth into a nice tall slice of New York style cheesecake. Absolutely nothing was missing except perhaps one of Rose’s stories from back at St. Olaf!
God brings friends together in some of the most peculiar ways. Sometimes, He creates the most unlikely of relationships, and then……. Well, then He grows them into beautiful, life-long friendships.
It’s December 22, and I’m sitting here smiling. Life hasn’t been easy, but God’s been so good to me. So, so good.
I don’t have any St. Olaf stories, my drinking glasses don’t all match and you might get stuck with a mason jar – but I have half a cheesecake left over, and three more days off. Come, pull up a chair!
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
As soon as I finished this blog, my doorbell rang. It was a neighbor with a small casserole dish to share some of this with me! Here’s the recipe – appropriately named!
You opened up an evening of the joys and struggles in a woman’s life regardless of age or ethnicity; We share our commonality, feelings, life experiences and offer up advice and encouragement. The Book of Hebrews commands us to “let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good works.” (I’m sure this pertains to the men too)