Moving Musings 2014 - I see you...

As we near the time to getting our household goods and vehicle, I have been running a lot of errands, both on the military posts in our area and in the German community. We are gathering the things we need to make for an happy and efficient life. And it seems that everywhere I go, I see someone I know. Now, it's true, I have run into several people that I have known from our previous assignment here, or from somewhere else. But that's not what I'm talking about.

I'm talking about seeing people around me, and for a split second, I see the face, the posture, the profile of some I know back home. They say that everyone has a double, a doppelganger, somewhere in the world. But at second glance, these are not twins for the ones I see in my heart. There is only a slight resemblance, or maybe even none at all. But it does help me think about how much influence the people in my life have on me, and how they are with me, even though we are separated by time and space.

I got this fortune cookie a few weeks before we left Washington, and I found it when I was cleaning out my wallet today. I made me think about how attitude is a big part of dealing with change in a positive way. This is a great reminder that there are new friends just around the corner. Some of them know people you know - some of them have more things in common with you than you could ever imagine.

So through this process, I am not only appreciating the friendships that have come before, but am also in great anticipation of the ones that are to come. And know that whether these friends endure for a lifetime, or we are connected for a short period of time, what we share is valuable and important.

When Jesus speaks to his disciples at their final meal together, John records four chapters of wisdom with the ones he will leave behind about it means to be connected to one another, in friendship and in love.

As the Father loved me, I too have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my father's commandments and remain in his love. I have siad these thing to yu so that my joy will be in you and your joy will be complete. This is my commandment: love each other as I have loved you. No one has greater love than to give up one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command (John 15:9-14 CEB).

I'm sure that most of us rarely think of friendship as sacrificial in nature. Instead, we see the benefits that friendship affords us, things like laughter and sympathy and holding one another up in times of need. But sometimes friendship requires us to go deeper, to take risks and to be willing to put ourselves and our friendships on the line. Military people get that - military inspired stories show the strength of friendship and how lives are often at stake each and every day. The lessons I have learned through being a part of the military community help make me a better person, a better pastor and a better person of faith.

So when I walk around a corner and get a glimpse of someone who looks like you, know that I am remembering fondly the time we shared, and saying a prayer for your life wherever you are. I hope that you will do the same for me.

Peace, Deb