Being Home In the Company of Others

Making new friends is like starting a new adventure. If we can be our real selves, and we find we’re safe in that, what a journey’s started!

Now, friendship takes on many different nuances in life.  Sometimes we are granted friendship from the least expected source.  God surprises us, and our hearts are kindled with joy.

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I found myself invited to two birthday parties on a recent day off.  As my wife was off working, my two-year-old son and I set off.  The first event was a 30^th birthday breakfast at a swish café for best friends I’d married less than twelve months earlier.  They had exciting news and we praised God together, in the midst of chasing after my two-year-old.  Still, a great time was had; to re-establish connections with new friends amongst the other guests, too — brothers and sisters in Christ.  The second event was a one-year-old’s birthday party, about 45 minutes’ drive away.  More new friends to meet, and more people I wanted to know better.  Later we went for ice cream.  A big day all-round.  Then we went out to a people’s place we’re only just getting to know.  All new friends; all new experiences.

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Everyone in this busy and confused life wants to feel they can be themselves — which I liken to being home.

Friendship is feeling home in the company of those we can safely trust.

And that’s what the church is about.  It’s a place where the people of God can gather, to be fed, to heal, to be included, to grow, and most of all to feel at home.

© 2016 Steve Wickham.