Second Chances

One of the worst feelings for me is regret.

One of the most amazing feelings is getting a second chance.

A couple weekends ago I experienced both.

My first couple years of college in Iowa I made some amazing friends.  They were the type of friends that were always there to laugh with, rant with, cry with, whatever.  They always listened, understood, and sympathized.  These frienships were as close as close could be.

I didn't appreciate them nearly as much as I should have.  After my second year of college, I ran out of funds.  Off to community college it was.  Then, through a series of God's leading, I transferred again to a college in Tennessee.

Over time and distance, we lost touch.  We are now spread across states and even oceans.  At first there were the quick notes and phone calls.  Then eventually our friendships were not much more than the facade of facebook.  A few "likes" here and there; a couple comments.  Such a cheap trade-out.

One of these amazing friends got married on New Years Day, and God incredibly and graciously worked it out for me to go.  And so we all found each other again:

The overwhelming flood of feelings throughout the trip were hard to wrap my head around.  But through many wonderful conversations and God's continued prompting, I have learned a deep lesson.   You see, since my move I've been waiting to make such friends again.  Waiting for that type of tight relationship.  And as I've waited, I've experienced plenty of loneliness and self-pity.

The facts are that those type of friendships are RARE.  Especially since I don't live in a dorm anymore:)  The facts are also that those friendships can still be there- across the states and oceans.  I mean for goodness sake we are all still alive after all!

And so I've given myself plenty of shame-on-me speeches and am committing to keeping in touch with these girls again.

But mostly, I'm thankful to God for the lessons learned in the regret and the grace of second chances!