I was sitting on the attic floor sorting through hand-me-downs when the phone rang, and a bridge began to crumble. Through tears, via a clunky cordless phone, my friend dropped the bomb. She and her family would be leaving our church—the church where our kids had misbehaved together and where she and I had moved from being ministry colleagues to being friends of the heart.
It wasn’t long after this that our kids became self-sufficient drivers. They didn’t need us to facilitate their social life, and the breach widened.
We attended the same weddings and funerals. We bumped into each other at the drugstore.
Then, one day, I read this text: “We’re putting the house on the market and moving south to be closer to both sons. I miss our chats…”
Not sure how to respond, I said what was in my heart: “If someone had told me ten years ago that we would go for months without talking to each other, I wouldn’t have believed them.”
“I know,” she replied with a sad-faced emoji.
Geography was about to finish off what life changes had begun. But I’m not sitting on the attic floor today…
Actually, today I’m reminding readers over at (in)courage that God is our solid safety net when change comes. CLICK HERE to join me over there for the full story and some strategies for navigating the inevitable separations that come with this world of temporary connections and crumbling bridges. I know you’ll find companionship for the changes happening in your life there in the company of other readers of faith.
Change is unavoidable, but this one thing I am learning about connections with my fellow humans: Whatever bridge may have crumbled, God is still present.
Whatever relational bridges may have crumbled, God is still present.
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And Now Let’s Talk Books…
Readers of The Firm who were captivated by the perils and adventures of Mitch McDeere will pick up where they left off in John Grisham’s riveting sequel, The Exchange. Fifteen years have passed since Mitch and Abby fled Memphis, and at 41, Mitch is once again established in Big Legal and his star is in the ascendant.
What begins as a sweet and prestigious assignment involving international travel and a connection with an old friend quickly leads to the kidnapping of a colleague and a threat to the McDeere family.
Abby plays a prominent role in this unfolding drama, and her own career as a cookbook editor added real interest to the plot. Readers will enjoy rooting for her and for Mitch as they take on a sinister band of adversaries in a race against time. With multiple international settings and a light touch on the legal and courtroom scenes, this was an engaging adventure tale.
Holding You in the Light,
Readers of #TheFirm who were captivated by the perils and adventures of Mitch McDeere will pick up where they left off in @JohnGrisham’s riveting sequel, #TheExchange. @DoubledayBooks
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Free Encouragement in Your Inbox…
On the third Thursday of every month, I send a newsletter with biblical encouragement straight to my subscribers’ email inboxes. Frequently, I share free resources, and the newsletter is where everything lands first. I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path.
To add this free resource to your pursuit of biblical literacy, simply CLICK HERE. There, on Substack’s website, you’ll find a prompt that looks just like this image for Living Our Days with Michele Morin. Over on that site, simply enter your email and then click on the purple “SUBSCRIBE” button.
You’ll receive a welcome letter to confirm your subscription and monthly encouragement in your email inbox.
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. If you should decide to purchase any of the books or products I’ve shared, simply click on the image, and you’ll be taken directly to the seller. If you decide to buy, I’ll receive a few pennies at no extra cost to you.
Photo by Florian Bernhardt on Unsplash
Many thanks to Doubleday Books and NetGalley for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
Living Our Days 
Having had many ‘friends’ in my three quarter century stay on this planet I can attest that there are many kinds of friendships. Some for a shared reason, some for a brief season. I guess I learned that it comes down to expectations. What do we think a friend is or should be? I figured out how to have no expectations for my interactions with others. I enjoy it in that season. This allows me to be at peace with whatever reason made it disappear into memory. I accept that every interaction, whether short or long, adds to us in some way. My hope is that I added something positive to the other person too.
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear – what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer…
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As usual, you have arrived here with refreshing wisdom and a perspective that is earned on the long haul. Thank you!
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A little over a year ago, my best friend chose to leave our church. We were acquainted in high school in the 1960s. She babysat for us in the 1970s. I started going to her church in 1985. We became good friends during those days. We left that church together. We visited a smaller church together; my husband joined us in attending there. We chose to attend another church that a former pastor of hers was serving at. That church merged with another one. We went with the merger. Since she has left that church, I have noticed that she is still not quite the same as she was a few years ago. I try to give her the space she needs. She lives one mile away from us. It will take time for me to adjust to this “new normal”.
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Sounds as if you had a LOT invested in that relationship, and it must be jarring to have things between you so changed now. Church issues are more powerful than the average person might be aware of. I’m glad you are positive about your ability to adjust (evenutually) to the new normal. Give yourself time…
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I haven’t read John Grisham for quite some time! Putting The Exchange on my library list! Women friendships are so important for our mental health. Even when change in friendships happen— yes, God is our anchor, and He always provides us what we need!
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Yes, friendship is well worth the risk!
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Saying goodbye and starting new chapters are hard places on our path, but many times necessary. We tend to rut in routine, which makes it difficult to obey God’s call at times. These are painful transitions for sure and need to be fully grieved and addressed as important.
Thank you for sharing your heart.
Merry Christmas!
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That’s a great perspective. Change keeps us from becoming entrenched. Thanks for that insight!
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