When you think of the Carolinas, isn't this what you imagine??
Moss-covered trees. Sandy docks. Quiet beaches.
It certainly is all that and more, even complete with moments of feeling like you're walking thru the pages of a Nicholas Sparks novel. But what really makes any place beautiful, are the people.
A couple weeks ago Josh and I went to Charelston to visit some of our dearest friends in all the world. It really is amazing how a few days with real, covenant friends can prove so life giving that you feel you can live on those moments and conversations for months on end.
We filled our days full of chats, quiet moments on the screened-in back porch, beautiful farmers markets...
...salted caramel fudgsicles on the shore, examining sea shells, splashing in the waves...
...old fashioned candy stores in search of salt water taffy for pregnant momas...
...lovely dinners out at some of Charelston's finest...
... lovely dinners in, cooking together, chattin' about life over chopped veggies...
...twirling little girls with blue eyes and ringlets, because that's what life is about...
...laughing, a lot, because that's just what we do together. At each other, at our husbands, at giggly little girls bubbling with bliss...
We wandered down memory lane to a place where we all met a decade ago as singles--to college, where we played and studied and established an even deeper friendship as married couples. We discussed life and God, asked hard questions, real questions, provoking questions. It's been far too long since I've been challenged in such a way. It was a breath of fresh air I desperately needed. Authenticity. Vulnerability. People who really love us and want God's best, with no agenda of their own. I'm learning every day how very rare that is, and when you find it, believe me, it's worth traveling half way aross the country for every chance you get.
And sitting on their back patio under a canopy of stars and moonlight, we prayed together long into the night, even knowing a daylight flight awaited us in a few short hours, desperately wanting to soak in every last moment together.
Refreshed. My very soul refreshed, revived, inspired. A sense of feeling so understood, known, and celebrated. A pastor said to me years ago, "Be in the place where you're celebrated, not tolerated." I'm embracing that life giving concept in a whole new way these days.
I say again, it's amazing how a few days with real, covenant friends can prove so life-giving that you feel you can live on those moments and conversations for months on end.
See you soon, South Carolina. Take care of my heart while I'm away... ;-)
Do you have friends who according to scripture 'provoke you to life and godliness'? If you don't, seek them out. It makes all the difference in the world.