Old Gardens

Does anybody hear her?  Can anybody see?

Or does anybody even known she’s going down today

Under the shadow of our steeple

With all the lost and lonely people

Searching for the hope that’s tucked away in you and me

When I first moved to Memphis four years ago, I had few friends.  Of those few, some became good friends of mine.  We were close then, bonded by our lives, sharing our days, laughing and crying.  Yet, as time has a tendency to do, its passing years and struggles have separated our ties.

Sometimes we cross paths like people do.  Our evenings together may feel familiar, like slipping into an old comfortable shirt, but mostly it feels new.  In the years that have passed, we sit across from new people in new lives with new perspectives.

For months previous to today, a particular friend and I had been trying to reconnect.  The plans presented always worked for one, but not the other.  It was not in God’s plan to have us reconnect just yet.

So when I felt a small push to text her today, I went with it.  Low and behold, the same plans that had failed before suddenly offered ripe opportunity.  The stars aligned, God ordained it, and we met for drinks in what little time we had.

Had we met months ago, I wouldn’t have been in the right state of mind.  Where selfishness reigned wholeheartedly, it has recently dwindled some, allowing forgiveness and grace as supplements.

If old loves are old flames, then old friends are old gardens.  Some remain nourished and in full bloom, others withered and dead beyond rescue and, still, some with a spot of life lingering in them.  Those are the ones of which we attend that may re-bud, re-bloom, and grace our lives with unexpected beauty.

I want to pray for this friend.  Dear God, I pray for You to shelter her heart and to help her through what difficult times may lay ahead.  I pray for her family’s welfare and that You may guide them and open their hearts to Your newest gift.  Please help her relationship with her significant other to grow in You, compelling him to be a righteous future-husband and to care for her, protect her, and honor her.  I pray You keep her spiritually, emotionally, and physically strong.  Your love can only make her stronger.  Thank You for our gift of friendship, and please help me and us have a community within one another.  Please help me reach out to her. Please let those around me reach out to her.  Keep her reaching for me, for You.  Thank you, God, for bringing us together today.  You are an amazing God whose punctuality is sometimes unnerving, always amazing, and truly compassionate..  I love you.