9th June 2021

Cherishing Friendships

Having lived in six different places over the past 55 years, we are in touch with people whose lives have touched ours in meaningful ways, so we have friends around the country. We keep in touch through Christmas greetings and occasional emails. This year not having been able to see any of them due to lockdown, we decided to try and see some of them.

So, during that very wet May fortnight, after the magic 17th, we were back in Devon and Cornwall and were able to link up with a dozen or so different people. We were given hospitality and they were obviously as pleased to see us as we were them.

Friendship is very important to all of us as human beings, and being with those whom we love is something we have all missed during this past year. The closeness of another who offers us time, a listening ear, support at a time of crisis, someone with whom we can share ideas, have a good laugh or enjoy stimulating conversation is invaluable. So the fact that we had torrential rain most days did not seem to matter, it could not dampen our spirits as we enjoyed fellowship with each other, and shared food together.

In John 13:34 & 35 we read the new commandment of Jesus “to love one another; as I have loved you, so you are to love one another. If there is this love among you, then all will know that you are my disciples”.

May we learn to love in the way that our friend Jesus loves us, and to include those who need our love beyond our social circle.

Elizabeth Webb