Last Sunday evening we had a couple over for dessert. We didn’t know them – at all. She and I had met in Bible study where I learned she had recently moved to Charlotte. In the course of our conversation it became clear that she was going to celebrate her birthday. She asked if I would join her for a piece of cake and a cup of coffee. I gladly accepted. Then I realized she meant – spouses too.

I remembered – 10 years ago when I had recently moved to Charlotte. I knew no one and I was getting ready to celebrate the end of or the beginning of a new (or old) decade. Had I still been back north I would have had a lovely evening with lots of friends. The thought of celebrating alone pierced my heart- I felt so truly lonely.

Then I decided – not going there. I had met a few ladies at the local Middle School Moms in Touch group so I invited them to join me on my back deck for an evening dessert and conversation. Three ladies accepted my invitation. That night I made life long friends. When they left I thanked them for celebrating with me! They were surprised.

I vowed to never let anyone celebrate a special day alone if I could help it, especially a fellow mover.

Last Sunday night my new friend and her husband – total strangers when they walked though the door of our house, came to our house for dessert and coffee. We spent a lovely evening getting to know one another.

In Jamie Buckingham’s book A Way Through The Wilderness -about Moses’ journey through the wilderness he explains that the law of the dessert is that noone would be allowed to remain on their own. True wilderness hospitality is that we invited fellow movers to come in.
When was the last time you reached out and made a new friend?

Shine!