Quality Time

By On October 1, 2012 · 8 Comments · In God Moments

It was the second message I received that week from an out-of-state friend saying he/she was in town. This time, I couldn’t drop everything to go hug him.

An hour later, I wandered towards the prayer room wondering if he was still there. I wondered what I’d do if he wasn’t. Go home? Keep searching? Stay and pray?

I never wondered what I’d do if he was until I saw his loafers under the “Holy Ground” sign. I set my heels beside them, took a deep breath, and knocked, realizing I was interrupting but he would not have invited me if he wasn’t hoping for the interruption.

As I poked my head in the door, he leaped from the couch. Our warm embrace was marvelous. For the next two hours we shared life.

No phones. No clock. No interruptions.

He shared some things he was struggling with. Through tears, I shared my own insecurities. Like brother and sister, we took turns pushing and letting go, correcting and encouraging, questioning and examining.

I skirted around his question the first time by changing the subject. He asked again. I stalled. Like a good teacher, he rephrased the question. I dragged my feet kicking and screaming as he escorted me to the Biblical answer.

This went on all evening as we took turns peeling back the layers of our faults, failures, concerns, and fears. Though it wasn’t always easy to hear, it was among the best worship times I’ve had (I dare say we’ve both had) in a while.

To process out loud with someone who loves the Lord like you do, to realize you’re not the only one struggling, and to spontaneously begin speaking directly to the Lord… there are no words.

Worship.

This week, find a friend–a peer–a brother or sister in Christ and spend an hour mutually encouraging and correcting.

This wasn’t the first time we’ve unloaded on each other, so for us, most of the awkwardness is gone. To confess your sins, your shortcomings, your failures to someone else is hard. Yet it is good. Answer the hard questions, accept the uncomfortable advice, and let heaven speak through and to both of you.

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  • Jessica

    Katie, this is SO good! You’ve motivated me to do just that this week.

    • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

      Mission accomplished. :) Let me know how it goes

  • Kevin

    Smiles all around here :) God is good

    • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

      :) All the time

  • http://www.hisgirl4life.blogspot.com/ Tara

    I happily accept this challenge! My heart can definitely use a friend to converse with for longer than a few minutes and about more than what we’re doing that day. Great post, Katie! Thanks for the encouragement!

    • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

      Conversations like that are so good, Tara. Drink it up. :)

  • Lizzie

    That is really great! I dare say that I can’t think of anyone to do that with, so I pour my heart out to God. Thank for a great post.

    • http://KatieAxelson.com/ Katie Axelson

      Hey, Lizzie, pouring your heart out to God is great. Definitely don’t stop doing that but He’s also given us such a great gift in godly friends. As Him to bring someone to mind and intentionally search for someone.