Homeward Bound

                      "With God all things are possible."

                                -Matthew 19:26

Thoughts on Friendship

Dear Chloe, Max, Sam, and Charlie,

I wanted to write you a note tonight. I felt it was particularly important. I didn't want tomorrow to come without me writing these words to you, in the hope that someday you will read them for yourself.  I want you to know that friendship is showing up for people even when it's not convenient. It's saying yes when it would be much easier to say no. It's laying down your so-called rights to "boundaries" (by far one of the most overused, misused words in the modern Christian vernacular) to prioritize the feelings and needs of others before your own. Only then can God begin to form real, honest community among you. And I've learned that if you don't feel that you have it, look in a mirror. The problem isn't the people around you. The problem is you.

"To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable."

                    C.S. Lewis