praying for friends, pt2

Last week, I wrote about the first time I prayed for friends. It felt a little silly at the time, but when I was immediately given the gift of community, I realized that maybe it's okay to pray for something like that. I really do believe that we were created for fellowship and companionship and community. We are relational creatures. Agreed?

So let's fast forward to now, where we've been living in a new place for the last few months. At first, everything was moving so fast that I didn't have time to think about friends. I was so excited to have Andrew home after twelve long weeks away that I really just wanted to hang out with him, my BFF. Who needs friends when you've got your long-lost hubby?

But as the weeks progressed and Andrew got more plugged in at school and I spent more time at home, our conversations went a little something like this:

Andrew: What's wrong?

Me: Nothing.

Andrew: Are you sure?

Me: Yes.

(crickets)

Me: I just...

Andrew: Yeah?

Me (commence ugly cry): I just don't have any friends! You have your friends and school and I have no one! I don't talk to anyone all day! Andrew, do you know that if I got a flat tire, I don't have anyone to call?

Andrew: You could call me, pretty girl.

Me: THAT'S NOT THE SAME!!

So I guess you could say that maybe I was a little lonely. Just a smidge.

I was feeling this way (pitiful and pathetic) for a few weeks. As we started getting more involved in the church, I was more hopeful, but still skeptical. And then I remembered the prayer that I prayed my freshman year. Was it already buried deep inside my heart? Yes. Does it sometimes help to say it outloud, practicing a faith that I know will give me the desires of my heart? Yes.

So in a tiny, sad voice...I said it. I prayed the prayer again. Just one friend.

That was three weeks ago and you wouldn't believe what happened that weekend. A friend of mine from UNC relocated to Charleston. A couple we got to know during the OCS days reported to Nuke school. A woman in our home group invited me over for dinner when Andrew was studying. Another woman from our church asked to meet me for lunch.

All of a sudden, I'm putting down roots. I'm sharing stories with women who understand these circumstances. I have friends to meet for coffee. Or a movie. Or shopping. We catch up and laugh and talk about this week's episode of Glee.

Like I said, I believe that we are relational creatures. And God knows that this daughter of his thrives on community and so naturally, He wants to bless me with that.

He's just good like that.