Traveling Companions

Last night I sat around a table with eight women who ranged in age from 24-43. A newlywed, two widows, 6 with children and 3 without. There were so many differences, but last night we had an important thing in common: We were Cabell's circle--there to honor the one year anniversary of Mike's passing.

For three and a half hours we laughed and cried--sometimes simultaneously. We discussed random trivial things, followed by deep truths and encouragement. We shared memories and we spoke of the future.

As I looked around the table I couldn't help but praise God for women and the way He wired us so relationally. While some of us are close friends, we don't all know each other that well. We are from different chapters of Cabell's life. We have her in common--but we also have Christ in common. That and our gender were all it took to establish kinship. I marveled at how God empowers us to love one another really well. It is far too much to get into in this post, but even the way God wove the lives at that table together for years--it was incredible to reflect upon! (Especially considering none of us are from this town.)

As I drove home and tried to recount to my husband how sacred the evening had felt--I found myself at a loss for words. (That doesn't happen often!) I think the best way to summarize it is this: being together in laughter, tears, encouragement, silliness and many emotions in between felt like an accurate depiction of the last 365 days. We were there for our mutual friend--but I think we were all ministered to greatly ourselves.

This journey through grief (even in my own sort of peripheral role) has changed me. Cabell's example of authentic faith, strength marked by vulnerability, honesty and sadness underscored by incredible hope--has challenged me to cling to my Master more tightly and trust Him more completely. It has also taught me a great deal about adult female friendships and what happens when women can move beyond the cattiness that plagues our gender stereotype and into authenticity and trust.

The 365th day of my friend's journey is not the destination. It is little more than a rest stop, but it was symbolic for so many of us and the course we are on. Last night felt like a long pause at a scenic overlook--a chance to reflect on how we have come so far and refresh ourselves for the next leg of the journey. Only God knows what is around the next bend or beyond the next ridge. I am so thankful for the blessing of godly traveling companions come what may!