How do you measure a year?

September 18, 2014 was a day when I rediscovered the power of friendship at a new level. ‘Tis fitting that we would spend our time reading the Psalms as we shared our lives with each other then tenderly prayed together. Perhaps this is what women who love the Lord Jesus Christ do, eh? Except that we were not meeting for a weekly video Bible study at church followed by coffee and treats. This one touched our hearts more at home . . . literally!

In the past I have enjoyed Bible studies the best when we all meet in each other’s homes. There is no better way to fellowship than to be immersed in the family pictures, dog hair, and dirty dishes of the ones you come to love in Christ. In due time the host and hostess let go of having a clean house for everyone each week as we focus on what is really important: opening up the truth of God’s word. Prayer time was always my favorite. The bonds between us became palpable as we lifted up each other’s hurts and victories before the Lord. I do hope we glorified Him in doing so.

When serious illness struck my life October 11, 2011 my life slowly changed to one of almost total isolation. Oh there were many visits to medical professionals, clinics, labs, hospitals, and pharmacies. They were all very nice people, of course. Going to Walmart became a rare “date night” with my beloved husband when I could not drive myself. The highlight of my week often became buying groceries; somehow I ended up spending a little more money there than I probably should have perhaps in an attempt to find some alternative type of comfort. Somehow new pair of sweats or comfy top would jump into the shopping cart on occasion as well!

Then the Lord inspired me to break the isolation beyond this blog. I had some casual connections to a few of you Gentle Readers which delighted my soul, by the way. How could this become more personal? I published a blog in September of 2014 asking if anyone would be interested in starting up a Bible study/prayer time via Skype? Perhaps there were other gals out there who were largely homebound like me and ready to connect before the Lord’s table. Two gals graciously responded: YES!

Each of us had different reasons for coming together. Each of us had our own blogs and followings, outside interests, and experiences with our health. We represented 3 different decades of life, 2 different countries and States, living situations either outside larger cities or in the country, and only one blonde. (She is gonna kill me for writing that!) We bonded quickly.

One gal who joined our group to be an encourager ended up facing one of the biggest health battles of her life this past year. Two of us went in and out of relapses with illness and one endured a major upheaval in her husband’s job situation. Two of us have also met face-to-face twice with hopes of a giggly reunion of all three of us perhaps this year? I hope so! Together we (have) cried, we laughed. We prayed; we shared silly stories. There were exchanges of recipes, websites, scripture, and more. We were encouraged by the love stories of the Psalms ministering to our feminine hearts. And most of all we became friends.

So how do you measure the value of a year in life? As this passionate theme song from the movie Rent speaks of sunsets, cups of coffee, laughter, and sighs, I do know that on Thursday night we three have shared them all this past year. I agree with the chorus line to: measure your life in love. Because of you my dear ones, my year was richly blessed!

Thank you ladies for changing my life and ministering to me in a way that has made a difference. May the Lord be glorified in all that we say and do, all that we write, and in the prayers that we lay before His throne of grace each week. In the meantime,