A Soul Refreshed

When my husband and I moved back to the Dallas area, it was a very bittersweet feeling. Although I was happy to be moving back home, I was also sad to be leaving all the friends we had made in Lafayette. As time went on I was grateful that my husband was still in the Louisiana National Guard so that the kids and I could still occasionally tag along on his drill weekends. This past weekend was drill so we loaded up the car and made the drive.

The week before we left, I started reaching out to friends to make plans. Friday was blocked off for not only one of my closest friends, but Jones’ as well. Saturday, we got in a very quick visit with my husband’s aunt and cousin before we headed off to dinner with friends that just had a new baby. Sunday, I skipped the sermon and sat in the café with a wonderful friend and was surprised by another showing up, even if for just a few minutes.

When we got in the car on Tuesday to head back home, I could only think of how blessed I am. My soul felt replenished after visiting with so many wonderful friends. It reminded me of Genesis 2:18 that says, “it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” And while in context this is when God created Eve for Adam, it is also fitting of friendships.

It is not good for us to be alone. We need the community and conversation of other believers to lift and fill us back up. I walked with these people through some really difficult times. We have seen each other broken and we have seen each other soar! We have walked side by side encouraging each other through prayer and the Word. It forms a bond unlike any other.

It reminds me of my husband with his military buddies. They have been to war and back with each other. They have relied on one another to survive and to get each other home. It forms a bond of brotherhood that is lifelong. It is the same when we walk through the storms of life with other believers. We have gone through spiritual battles with one another and we have relied each other to survive.

God created Eve to be a helpmate for Adam. In the same sense that I am a help mate to my husband, I need friends to be a helpmate for me as well. To tell me when I am out of line in my marriage, to encourage me in the biblical raising of my children, to help me stay the course when I am struggling.

Romans 1:12 it tells us “that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.” When I was gathered with my friends, our conversations were about the things that God is doing in our lives. Both the good things and the hard things. We were able to encourage each other. My soul was refreshed by the conversation of God’s workings. I left more encouraged than when I arrived.

It is not good that man should be alone. Do not isolate yourself from the fellowship of other believers. Yes, the Word refreshes me. Yes, worship fills me back up. No, there is no one like Christ. But when we are continuously pouring out for our husbands, our children, our jobs, the church, there is nothing better than the sweet fellowship of other believers to refresh my soul. To remind me that I am not alone in this journey.

I’d also like to give a quick shout out to Tanya Gary. Why? She knows why.