My First Florida Friend

My circle of friends in Virginia had been praying for my transition to Florida and they started even before the moving van pulled out of my driveway. Praying for a church home, a safe and friendly community, and for my heart to find a home here (just to mention a few). They especially prayed for new friendships for me, as we all know that we need the strong support of Christian friends. One by one, I’ve watched how God has answered their prayers for me and my husband.

While I am still getting settled in my new surroundings and don’t know very many people, God provided my “first Florida friend” a few months ago. It just so happened that this sweet lady was in my core group in Bible study. And she took it upon herself to get to know me. God gave me Mary Jane. No accidental meeting, not a coincidence, but a God-incidence.

Our first lunch outing was a few months ago, not long after we moved down to Sarasota. My husband was excited I was beginning to meet people and asked about her and our time together. I believe the first thing I said was: “Well, you remember my sweet Momma … Mary Jane reminds me of her.” He smiled broadly and commented on the gardenia blossoms my new friend had brought to me out of her yard.

My first Florida friend is a godly woman who is grounded in God’s Word. She has opened her home for neighborhood Bible studies, is a former leader in CBS, and hasn’t stopped looking for ways to serve the Lord. And that’s just the little bit I’ve learned so far. I’m sure as our lunches progress, I’ll find out more about the depth of her devotion to Jesus. While I have told her that I do believe that God put her in my life for a reason, I’m not sure she realizes that God provided her as a mentor to me. Mary Jane reminds me not only of my Momma, but of other mentors I have had over the years. Precious women God put in my path to offer support, encouragement, and wise counsel. I am grateful as I am blessed by their witness, and their love for me.

Mary Jane and I have met for lunch several times now and she’s been wonderful at reaching out, making sure I’m doing okay. Just yesterday she introduced me to a quaint little French café where we met for lunch. Again, God’s timing was perfect. I had been feeling like I was slipping again into some self-doubt, and then that text came… “lunch tomorrow?” I don’t know why I’m surprised by God’s timing. It’s always perfect! We had wonderful conversation, and by the time we were leaving, my whole attitude had changed. It was the course-correction I needed.

God desires us to live in community with one another. He wants us to support and look out for each other. And this community isn’t just of our peers, but God wants us to be mentored by those who can offer their years of wisdom and maturity. We need to humble ourselves and allow godly wisdom to be poured in by those God provides. And this concept works both ways – it’s also important that we are mentoring others. This beautiful community God desires for us is one where we not only receive from the wisdom of others – but are givers as God is directing us.

Like my Momma, and other faithful women (thank you Mrs. Tucker, Jo Anne, Freda and Judy, just to name a few) that God put in front of me, Mary Jane is ministering to my heart. These women have exemplified a humble spirit, a desire to love others the way Jesus loves us, and to be who God created you to be. They’ve taught me that no matter how old you are, you’re still a student of God’s Word and you don’t “retire” from serving Him.

I’m looking forward to future lunch dates with my first Florida friend as well as venturing around town to museums and other sites with her. Mary Jane didn’t know that when she went into her yard that day before our first lunch and picked those gardenias for me that I also enjoyed their fragrance and the beauty of the blossoms. She didn’t know that I have gardenias in my yard back in Virginia I had to leave behind. But God did.

Do you have someone to reach out to today?

Pray about it and consider what God is prompting YOU to do...