A month ago I was reunited with one of my dearest
friends who currently lives and serves the Lord in Hong Kong. In fact, I wrote,
“Dimes and Hearts,” a short story describing our friendship and posted it on my
blog in 2015. Those of you who have read my story will know the background of
our friendship. For those who have not read it, may I suggest you do so you can
fully understand and appreciate this reunion story.
When LaJuan messaged me that she and her family were
planning to visit our small town while they were stateside in June, happiness
and excitement filled my soul. It had
been nearly five years since we were physically together. During those years we
had kept in touch via skype, fb messages, texting, and surprise packages from
across the ocean. Our friendship
continued despite the distance and perhaps, it had even grown stronger.
After they arrived in Dighton, LaJuan and I agreed to
meet at one of our favorite places, the city park. Since my daughter, Haley,
was home for our wheat harvest and wanted to see LaJuan as well, she
accompanied me to the park. When LaJuan
arrived, we greeted each other with warm, loving hugs. Tears of joy welcomed
our reunion. Haley, too, shared our happiness.
Then, as
though we had never been apart, our conversation began immediately and ran
non-stop for several hours. If our
husbands would have been there, they would have shook their heads and shrugged
their shoulders at our continual chit-chat J
However, Haley understood and joined in as well. Must be a “girl thing”!! J We laughed and giggled, reminisced, shared
family stories and so much more. Our visit took us through the noon hour so we
decided to finish our discussion over a late lunch. However, before we left the
park, God gave us two amazing surprises!!
As I
revealed in “Dimes and Hearts”, both dimes and hearts had become reminders of
God’s Presence in our friendship. Dimes for me and hearts for LaJuan, but we
had also added the numbers 1:11 and 11:11 since our separation. Whenever we
found dimes, saw hearts, or read the numbers, we thought of God, our Father,
Jesus, His Son, and the Holy Spirit…the triune God. And with those God
reminders, we were drawn together spiritually, a very special relationship for
both of us. So Friday afternoon before leaving the shelter house, what should I
find lying under the picnic table between LaJuan and me but a shiny, heads-up
dime!! We looked at each other with surprise and joyful wonder. Then, Haley
suggested we take a picture so when LaJaun handed Haley her phone for the
picture, what should appear on her phone but the numbers 1:11!!! Another
awe-inspiring moment!!
God had
reaffirmed His part in our friendship. It was our mutual love for Jesus and our
desire to study His Word that brought LaJuan and I together in the first place.
From that point on, God not only grew our friendship but each of us
individually as well. Although we had been separated for five years, we had remained
together both physically and spiritually in our FATHER’S eyes, and He had
blessed us this summer. In fact, LaJuan
and I were able to spend more time together the next day.
Months before her visit to the states we had
planned a Sonic stop when she had arrived so naturally, that was our place of conversation
and refreshment. While we talked, we noticed dark, approaching storm clouds.
Soon we saw close strikes of lightning with clashing thunder to follow. Since
this Sonic had an indoor section, we sat back in our booth and enjoyed the
summer storm together.
Because my family was in the midst of wheat harvest, I
had planned Pizza Hut pizza for supper for our small crew, which consisted of
my husband, our son and his family, Haley and her boyfriend. As it turned out,
the storm had halted our harvest so LaJuan and I picked up the pizza and drove
to our farmstead. As we travelled, we
both marveled at the various cloud formations and the lightning display which
were now before us. I told LaJuan she might be late in returning to Dighton but
she was fine with that. However, she contacted her husband to update him on our
whereabouts.
Arriving at our house, we dashed inside with the pizza
and was greeted with lots of smiles J
Our harvest crew had gathered in our snug dining area awaiting the pizza. As my
son prayed before the meal, I squeezed LaJuan’s hand. It warmed my heart
clear-through to have her join us and to be surrounded by part of my family.
When our time together came to a close, neither of us
wanted to say, “Goodbye.” We had spent the past two days sharing our joys, our
concerns, our hopes, and the special surprises from our Father. Our visit
passed too quickly but its memory will remain embedded in my heart until God
arranges another memorable encounter. Until that time God will continue to keep
us together in His eyes as well as embraced in His arms!!
And YES, we will keep looking for dimes, hearts, and
numbers as reminders of His love and faithfulness in our friendship and in our
lives!!
“Your love is faithful,
LORD, and even the clouds in the sky can depend on you.
Your decisions are
always fair.
They are firm like
mountains, deep like the sea, and all people and animals are under your care.
Your love is a
treasure, and everyone finds shelter in the shadow of your wings.” Psalm 36:5-7
(CEV)
