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Our refrigerator is getting older and really needs to be replaced. The ice maker quit working years ago and one of the shelves is broken, but I have a hard time buying a new one. The reason is not financial. The reason we haven't replaced it is because when we do finally decide to get another one, we want to get a stainless steel one to match our recently purchased stainless dishwasher. My problem is this: I use the front of the refrigerator for photos of family and friends and I have heard that the magnets won't stick to the front of a stainless steel appliance.
The front of our fridge currently has a few family photos and Christmas card photos we received this year. Every time we open the door, we are reminded of people in our lives that we love and are thankful for. Most are photos of people who took the time and effort to put together cards to send out to friends and family. I am thankful for each one.
Something else struck me a couple of days ago that I have been meditating on. If you had looked at the photos from the front of our fridge ten years ago, the photos would be of different people for the most part. Many of the friends we were close to ten years ago are not in our lives in the same way today. We may see them occasionally and keep in touch on Facebook, but we do not have the close relationship we once had.
A couple of years ago we had a Christmas party at our home, which we had done every year for many years. Since we see many of our current close friends regularly at church and other small groups, I thought it would be nice to get together with many of the friends we don't see as often. We sent out numerous invitations and knew some would not be able to attend because it is a busy time. But the night of the party brought some disappointment.
Only one couple came. The couple that did come are dear friends and we love them, but when you are expecting about 20 people for a party and two show up, there is a lot of food that needs to be eaten and plans for the evening that couldn't happen. We still had a good night, but I felt God showed me something.
God changes the times and seasons of our lives. We may be in a church, a small group, or some other group of people that we expect to always be close with and that we expect to have a special level of relationship with. But as God directs our lives, He may send us in different directions with different goals and ministries which cause there to be a changes in our friendships.
I am thankful for all the people that have been a part of our lives over the years, but I have learned not to look back and think, "Those were the good old days." Some day, the time we are in now will be the "good old days." Instead of focusing on the past and trying to hold onto a closeness that isn't really even possible anymore, we should focus on the "Now."
Who has God currently put in your life? Who are you working with? Where are you going to church? What small group are you a part of where you share life with each other? Give yourself to those relationships. Pray for them, spend time with them, and take time to build relationships with them.
God may change your path in the future and surround you with new friends and you may look back some day and realize how blessed you were during this time. I believe it is wonderful to get together with old friends and reminicise about the good times we had together and also remember the hard times and struggles we prayed each other through. But we can't live there. God often moves us and is wanting to fulfill His purposes through our lives. We must be willing to let go of the past and step forward as he opens new doors.
If you are blessed with long-time friends that are not closely associated with you at this time, take time to visit and love on each other. But then put your focus back on what God placed before you right now. A good thing to reflect on is, "What has God put in my hand right now and what does He want me to do with it?" I believe this can mean people as well as gifts, talents, and abilities.
This year will hold some surprises for all of us, but one thing is certain - there will be change! But as we trust God with our lives, He will take us places we never dreamed and He will surround us with the people He knows we can minister to and serve as well as those who will do the same for us.