We have a sheltering tree. Its double-trunk supports wide-sprawling branches, offering respite on these sweltering days in the South.
Friends are like that, too.
When we feel we’re being bombarded by the unexpected, wayward children, or a million little things⎯all at once⎯we find comfort in a friend’s touch.
When we fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to thinner, prettier, more successful, Mary-like women, our friends are there to pull us out of the muck and speak truth into our lives.
So, last week, three friends came over for lunch. There was no agenda other than to catch up, encourage one another, and offer respite through lots of laughter, good food, and raspberry lemonade.
Friendships⎯like trees⎯grow, mature, and blossom in a variety of ways.
Vonda’s qualities, although too many to mention (truly!) remind me of a well-loved evergreen tree called the Southern Wax Myrtle. Like the Sourwood, it too puts on a show year-round with its lustrous green leaves in the summer months and bluish gray clusters of berries in the winter. The leaves release a very aromatic scent when crushed, that smell much like a bay berry candle. Although you don’t hear Vonda complain, she sometimes carries a heavy load behind-the-scenes. But like the Myrtle tree, when she is at her weakest, “crushed” beneath the weight, there is a sweet aroma released from her soul. It’s not the fragrance of bay berry, but that of Christ. And like the Sourwood, the Wax Myrtle tree also supplies nectar for the bees. God has used both Edie and Vonda to bless a multitude of writers over the years. {Thank you!}
And then there’s Pea, aka, Dee Dee Parker. She’s my Weeping Willow tree. Her sickness earlier this year had me shedding many prayerful tears but thankfully they’re now induced by laughter. Much laughter. One interesting fact about the Weeping Willow tree is that it’s often planted by streams so that their braid-like roots will protect the bank from erosion. In the same way, Dee Dee’s prayers are woven throughout her day as she too seeks a water Source⎯Jesus. He is the only One who can ultimately refresh, restore, and renew those she lifts in prayer.
All three friends touch my life and the lives of many others in ways they’ll only know once they reach heaven.
I could learn a thing or two from these women when it comes to being a sheltering tree for others. This hasn’t exactly been a banner year for me in that department. Partly because of the new distance between me and most of my friends back in our old hometown. And in all honesty, the struggle to discover the balance for needing long stretches of writing time and life in general, is real.
But isn’t that what sheltering trees are all about? When struggles, storms, and hard situations enter our lives, we know we can find refuge beneath their branches. It is there we also find refreshment.
A sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9
Today, I’m giving away a copy of Leigh Ann’s beautiful book to one blessed reader. If you are a mother of a bride {or groom} prepare to be inspired. If you know someone else in this role, inspire away by purchasing a copy for them. I can’t imagine a better gift.
Enter the drawing by simply answering the question below. I’ll randomly select a name next Tuesday!
How has a friend touched you⎯refreshing your soul⎯in recent days?
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My dear, sweet friend, Molly and I just hung up from a 2 1/2 hour conversation. We have been friends for 28 years. We rarely get to see one another because she lives 1000 miles away. (It is closer than when she lived in Japan for fifteen years). We scheduled this phone appt. last week, so we could chat about everything today-and we did!! We laughed, sipped tea, hugged via air waves, shared memories, future dreams and ideas. Talk about refreshing, we both had a blast and our souls were renewed.. So, reading your post right after hanging up with her was like dessert after a good meal. Loved what you shared, Cathy, about your friends and relating them to those beautiful trees. My heart is singing!
And you have my soul singing, Barbara, as I read your words that so beautifully describe your friendship with Molly. The Lord says to taste and see His goodness — and it’s evident through our friendships. Thankful to call YOU a friend. 🙂 I appreciate your taking the time to share!
Awww thank you, Cathy. Once again, you have touched my heart with your words. Thankful to call you friend, too!
Aww, Barbara. ((( HUGS ))) to you!!!!
Sweet post about three wonderful, beautiful women written by another wonderful, beautiful woman herself. Blessed to know them all.
Aren’t you sweet, Tammy! I’d love for you to come up for a writing day in the near future. 🙂
Love this! I’m glad that all of these “trees” are in my forest. All of you have blessed my life.
I definitely need to come up with a good tree for you, Michelle. So thankful to have you in my forest of friendships. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to share.
Just today a new friend reached out to help me over a techie obstacle. I am blessed.
Yes, you are! 🙂 Having a friend help with techie obstacles is definitely a blessing! Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings…
Interestingly your encouraging words for my writing as I’ve just come off of vacation have blessed me.
I’m thankful they encouraged you, Daphne. It’s usually the other way around. 🙂 Blessings and thanks for sharing!
Cathy, your melodic, lyrical writing shines through again! I love reading your creative pieces, but I have to admit I’m always just an itsy-bitsy jealous that I can’t write like you. Thank you for a beautiful day filled with love and laughter! I’m so blessed to have you in my life!
I feel like the blessing is all mine, sweet friend. Loved having you here and look forward to future gatherings! 🙂 Love you, Vonda!
Cathy, thank you for these beautiful words. What a joy to have you in my life. I am thankful the time for tears is over…now let the laughter loose!
Amen, Pea! I thank God for our friendship — and for you — often. 🙂 Love you!
Cathy my thanks to you isn’t even scratching the surface of what your words mean to me. You, dear friend, are like an oak tree. Tall and mighty, providing homes for birds and animals alike. And just like the oak, your own root system is strong, reaching to great depth and anchored in the bedrock of Christ. Through the years you’ve been the voice of wisdom and reason and you pulled wisdom from those roots and shared it with me. I don’t know what I’d have done without you in my life.
Is there such thing as a weeping oak? I can barely read your words for the tears, sweet friend. I’m so thankful God orchestrated our paths to cross all those years ago. You have made an eternal difference in my life, Edie. Love you!
Hi Cathy. I just spent this past weekend with 2 of my spiritual sisters. We were neighbors in Michigan almost 20 years ago. We are all living in the Carolinas now. We get together as often as we can for fun, fellowship, and spiritual renewal. I love the way you described your friends in your post. True friends are a forever blessing.
What a blessing the three of you share, Tina! You’re so right — the blessing called “friendship” is one we carry into eternity. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Great analogy of friendship and trees, Cathy. I’m a tree-lover myself and see so many references that remind me of the Tree of Life. I think of the roots of trees running deep down to the River of God. Yesterday, one of my best friends texted me with an acute prayer request for a close family member in deep distress. Your post reminded me of the deep roots of our friendship that is like an oak tree standing tall and strong over time. Blessings to you, Connie
What a beautiful analogy, Connie. Nothing deepens and strengthens the roots of friendship like prayer. Thank you for taking the time to share. Blessings!!!