Make New Friends

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18&19

This verse is one of those verses that keeps surfacing throughout the major experiences of my life. I recall holding on to it especially when my sweet husband came into my life after having years of singleness. I grasped it when my son was born and I transitioned from working full time to being a stay at home mother - and a new bride.(Little one was born exactly nine months after we were married.) And now, I cling to it as I am in new physical location - away from all that I know and love dearly. I love the encouragement my heart finds every time I read "forget the former things" and "I am doing a new thing!"

When I dropped Donna Rene off at the airport - I cried deep tears. The kind of tears that roll off your cheeks and fall down with a splatter - because they are coming from such a deep place within your heart and there is no chance in stopping them. In the hours that followed her departure, I have never ever felt so lonely. It's as if she poured into my very thirsty heart love and friendship - which I had no idea was so dry. What was I going to do now? I didn't have a friend here to call, and I just wanted a friend to be with.

As I sat in my lonely funk Tuesday morning, my phone rang. It was a local number - and I picked it up. On the other line was the director of a local MOPS program. I had contacted her months ago, and we have played phone tag since. Yesterday was the first time we talked - and it was the day I needed it most. She informed me that the next meeting was today - and that I should show up at 9:00. Then, an hour later, I received another phone call - another local number - it was the small group leader of the group I was going to be in. While talking to both of these ladies I heard "welcome friend!" and "I can't wait to meet you!" When I arrived this morning, I was greeted with hugs and introductions. Again, those deep tears came - and resurfaced throughout the morning.

I sat there listening to other moms talk about how hard it is to get everything done during nap, and how it's been hard to leave family and friends behind in another state, and how one lady keeps telling her husband that she needs to get GPS because she keeps getting lost! Oh, I am not alone! There are only three more meetings this spring, but I will go to those last three meetings and hopefully find some ladies to connect with during the summer.

And again, I hear the Lord say, "See, I am doing a new thing - Now it springs up do you not perceive it?"

I am reminded of the little song that we used to sing in Brownies:
Make new friends
Keep the old
Some are Silver and the other gold...

I am looking forward to the Silver and Gold I will find in this new place.