Belonging

"I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."  2 Corinthians 6:18

My biggest blessing today came in the form of two high school friends sharing lunch with me.  We'd all had weeks that had been emotional roller coasters, and we all felt left at the bottom rather than the top.  Just sharing a lunch of clean-out-the-refrigerator leftovers was pleasant, even therapeutic.  I hope they enjoyed it as much as I did.

There's something to be said about friends who stick by your side, even when they've seen you at your worst.  Or, in my case, when they didn't even see my worst because I'd kind of been off the map for a while.  When we come back together and I realize that they don't judge me, and they've gotten over any kind of regrets or hurts they might have experienced at my hands, it gives me a sense of security, not only in myself, but in those relationships.  And when I think about it, this is the second Friday in a row that I've had this blessing, as last Friday's dinner was spent with four other friends who are treating me the same way: with acceptance and love.  It's amazing not to have to wonder how they might treat me tomorrow.

Just like my friends, I don't have to worry about how God is going to feel about me tomorrow.  I can't even describe the confidence I have, knowing that I belong to God.  Even if my friends and family did turn away from me, I would still belong somewhere.  That's especially nice for someone like me, who hasn't even felt she's belonged in her own skin for a long time.  What more can we ask for, than to belong?

So thank you to those friends who still seem to like me, for whatever crazy reason!  And thanks be to God, who doesn't "like" at all, just loves.  And loves.  And loves.