Front Porch Stories: A Much-Needed Reset

By KATHY BOHANNON, Special to The Coweta Shopper

I’ve written before about praying for a best friend when my kids were very young, and God blessed me with a lifelong friendship.

He knew what I needed then; a woman of faith and wisdom who had raised her children. She helped me navigate life through the years from having littles to seeing them grown.

I’ve been blessed over and over again with wise, Christian women in my life. The term today is “bestie”, and I am blessed with several “besties”.

One of those very special friends visited recently. She and I have been close since we can remember. Actually, we can’t remember but we know we met when my son was a toddler, so it was easily 35 or more years ago.

This was her second visit to my home this year. When she arrives, we have several days together, but when I visit her, it’s going “back home” for me and I have family to include. As a result, she and I only have time for a quick lunch or dinner. At the end of my trip it never fails that I’m exhausted from going from house to house, place to place and longing for more time to spend with those dear to me. A tour of “back home” is sweet, but exhaustive. It’s like a sampling when you’re starving; only seeing those you love briefly so you can get back on the road and home again. When my friends or family visit me, it’s one-on-one time, and I cherish that.

I discovered with her first visit in May, that I experienced a reset that I didn’t even know I needed. There’s something very special about a friend who just lifts the spirits and gives a reprieve just when you need it.

When she came in May, we immediately picked up where we left off. If we were awake, we were sharing thoughts, encouragement, stories, concerns, and an endless amount of our hearts. I didn’t realize until the day she returned home that I felt a complete reset. I cleaned house, I organized things that needed attention. I went walking. I did many things that I had procrastinated doing just days before.

My friend returned this past weekend. Her visit was wonderful. Day by day, we chatted, shopped, ate and enjoyed movies my husband set up poolside. It was a complete reset, even though I didn’t know I needed one. This time I experienced such gratefulness. Grateful that we could share our faith and encouragement with one another. Grateful for the comfort of a faithful and wise sister in Christ who is a joy to be with.

It’s okay to need a reset, and it’s particularly special when there’s a friend that God placed in your path who matches your steps. I love that God knows when I need a reset long before I’m aware that I do.

In Paul’s letter to the Roman church, he said “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine” (Romans: 1:11-12 ESV).

Friendship is indeed a blessing, and a reset is so refreshing. I’m thankful for both.

Kathy Bohannon is a Christian humorist and inspirational speaker. She crafts on YouTube at Kathy Bohannon Creatively Blessed, and can be reached at [email protected].