Love stretches the soul.
When was the last time that love stretched your soul? Reached inside your heart and pulled it outside for exposure, for adventure, for remembrance, for renewal? How long has it been since you left the safety of your carefully constructed, four-walls in order to explore the world that’s been waiting for you just beyond the back stoop? When did love last remind you that your world is too small, too guarded, too inward, too stuck?
Love stretched my soul over this past week. Love carried me some 500 miles northwest through stormy weather to land me safely in the arms of a friend who’s been walking this journey with me for nearly twenty years. She’s a native to the small town where I spent a few of my yesterdays… five years’ worth of my yesterdays.
Our friendship began on a hot summer night in the sanctuary of my small church. Parents from the church and the community had gathered to hear about their children’s adventures during our annual Vacation Bible School. As part of a follow-up program designed to target un-churched families, we visited several homes in order to extend personal invitations to come and worship with our growing congregation. One of those homes belonged to my friend, Juanita. From that moment forward until today (nearly nineteen years later), I don’t suppose she and her family have missed many Sundays at that church. That’s a lot of Sundays, friends. And while I’ve not actively worshipped with her for most of those nineteen years, we’ve shared an active friendship throughout the course of that time.
Some told us that our friendship wouldn’t last… that miles and time would be enough to separate the deep bond that we share. They were wrong. Yes, miles and time have separated us in a way that neither of us wanted, but our friendship is just as real and certain as it has always been. Last week’s visit held the proof. It was as if (you could probably finish this sentence for me)… we’d never been apart.
We laughed, cried, ripped up the roads down through Amish country. We stopped for cheese bread, apple fritters, and chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins from Walnut Creek’s Coblentz Store. We dined on broasted chicken from Der Dutchman and roast beef from The Amish Door, as well as shared a table of tortillas with three of the Drake sisters (Juanita’s sisters). We even caught a viewing of Courageous. Yes, we crammed a lot of living into a few days, and then we hugged our good-byes at the airport.
It’s never easy saying good-bye to my friend, and this time around was particularly difficult for me. I’ve spent a couple of days mulling it over, and here’s what I’m thinking.
Love has stretched my soul. Love moved me beyond my borders and landed me smack dab in the middle of humanity. For the first time in a long time, I spent a few days living in the real world—a world separated from the safety zone I’ve carefully created for myself over the past year. Last week, I exposed my heart and made it vulnerable to outside influences. In doing so, I became painfully aware of how closed-off I’ve become. It’s not a good fit with my heart.
God didn’t save me to bury me. God saved me to release me. To release Him. To be a soul so stretched by the power of love that a kingdom bridge between heaven and earth might emerge as a footpath for those who fill up my days. For those who linger with me through the dark nights. I want to be that bridge… God’s active participant in the world. A heart anchored in heaven, yet a heart unafraid to linger a while longer in the setting I’ve been given.
Love is a game-changer, friends. God’s stretching love for us changed the world and forever planted a bridge between heaven and earth so that we might find the footpath that leads to home. If God had remained closed off to his world, kept his Son safe from the world, then you and I would know nothing of grace and heaven. God would be there, and we would remain here. As it is, Love came down, planted a cross, and secured a forever for each one of us. Loved stretched far and wide, long and deep, encompassing a world-view that best fits with God’s heart. Two thousand years ago God hit the roads with his Son and his story, and now he’s entrusted us with the same mission.
Love stretches the soul. Indeed, it has moved me to a better place this past week. Love put me in the path of humanity in a way that best fits with my heart. As I move forward from here, as I try to put traction to my thinking, I do so knowing and believing that love is a strong motivator for change. Love has the capacity to stretch my soul and to put it within arm’s reach of great, kingdom influence. It has the capacity to do the same for you.
Would you be willing to allow love to move you to a deeper place of surrender, a deeper place of influence this week? It’s time for some of you to come out of hiding, plant your feet and your heart along the footpath of humanity in order to stretch the influence of Jesus outward to those who still need to hear the greatest love story ever told. In doing so, you’ll be stretched… perhaps uncomfortably so. But all worthy love stories… lasting love stories… are stretching ones.
Reach deeper, friends, pull harder, stretch further… all for the love of Jesus this week. You are God’s game-charger in this world. Even so, keep to it. As always…
Peace for the journey,
~elaine
This paragraph says it all…
"
God didn’t save me to bury me. God saved me to release me. To release Him. To be a soul so stretched by the power of love that a kingdom bridge between heaven and earth might emerge as a footpath for those who fill up my days. For those who linger with me through the dark nights. I want to be that bridge… God’s active participant in the world. A heart anchored in heaven, yet a heart unafraid to linger a while longer in the setting I’ve been given. "
It's not been an easy journey for you to have come to this realization. You are stronger than you even realize, sweet friend. I am so grateful to God for allowing our paths to cross!
I'm glad you had such a wonderful time with Juanita – a much-needed time away. Looking forward to our time together!
definitions collide…and intermingle in this challenge.
chargers: rush forward; attack …grabbing and taking the life His grace has continued
changers: undergo alteration, mature, transform…
acknowledging His new purposes from old places…pushing us to new
what a fun time you both had…great pics…one day I would love to visit that portion of our beautiful country
Elaine, as usual you have helped to "stretch" me spiritually today! I find myself described here in your post today. I pray that God will indeed help me to "come out of hiding" and be more willing to come out among His people.
Thank you sweet Elaine!
Marilyn…in Mississippi
Would you be willing to allow love to move you to a deeper place of surrender, a deeper place of influence this week? Well, yes, I would. Love this post.
I've been to Walnut Creek. I've eaten at Der Dutchman. I love the Ohio Amish country. Such amazingly, beautiful country.
First let me say how great you look! So wonderful that you were able to visit with your friend.My best one came here last week and it filled my soul being with her, talking with her and stepping out of my fears of being here. Thank you again for your post.
Elaine, I sure want to be ready to step out in love in whatever ways God wants me to. And you're right — that sometimes takes us right out of our comfort zones.
I'm so glad you had a wonderful time with your friend. What refreshment, huh?
I loved this!! So excited for your time together with Juanita. It's always fun to get together with dear, precious friends. Don't you love how time stands still with those sweet girls that we've known and loved?
God stretches us, and then He stretches us more. I am willing…I am in stepping out and surrendering mode. Trying to say "yes" to the One I love and desire to be more like.
Love you!! And the pics make me want to go visit!!
Hugs!
Susan
Hello Elaine,
Wow, what a special friendship you and she have! What a thing to treasure and thank God for. 🙂 May God continue to grow and bless that friendship, and use you both to continue to bless others.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Oh so fabulous! What a beautiful Fall retreat, from the love-stretching nature of it, to the glorious landscapes & doings that were the backdrop.
Whenever I need replenishment, it's off to my sisters I go. With our shared history, few (if any) words need be spoken. The mere company of such good friends is balm enough.
So happy you've had such a memory-making trip. You look absolutely amazing & healthy. That makes me smile.
How ironic that I read your post after my quiet time and reflecting on the "Lover of my soul". We are created to be released, to love, to be so much more than we can imagine…though Him.
Beautiful Elaine. Thank you.
Now we need to work on getting down here to Missouri!!
Living in His Embrace~Pamela
wifeforthejourney:
How good it feels to "stretch," especially after you've been cramped up somewhere. Would that we all could seek after God's stretching – sometimes when life stays crowded for a long time we forget what it feels like to have room to move. Certainly your OH trip has offered you both literal and figurative "space" to move around.
Those of us both near and far can rejoice in God's plan for your future. Even though there are details of that plan that remain hidden, the future that is waiting feels more like a treasure hunt each day! I love geting to share each day with you,
love,
~ Billy
What a beautiful tribute to a dear friendship and your personal journey with the Lord. I loved this. I have never visited that far up north…beautiful.
Have a great week.
Sounds like a wonderful time with a wonderful friend. Stretched. It is tiring. It wipes me out. And then I go to the Father for refreshing. And back out to be stretched by love, again.
I feel god stretching me but not without growing pains . Thanks so much for putting this out there.
So glad you could have that time with your dear friend. So glad God saved us to release Him. Yes, let's tell the world about God's stretching love for all of us.
Elaine,
I am so excited that you were moved to action to help fight human trafficking with me. Thanks for stopping by my post and hopping over to the Christmas shopping with purpose concept. Did you find something you liked at Made By Survivors? Some of the stuff is more expensive than my style but there are cheaper things too when you look.
Did you see my earlier posts too with the tangible easy ways to fight human trafficking there too? "Calls in the Dark" and "Cookies, Milkshakes, and Hero TruckDdrivers." All are welcome.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
The picture is beautiful! You look so great. And what a wonderful time to share with one who is so special to you. It sounds like you filled every minute with fun & fellowship! There is nothing like some quality 'girl time'!
I'm just watching, and seeing what God has ahead for you. It's going to be so good! 🙂
I have to agree with all the others…you look soo good! I am so glad you were able to spend such quality time with your friend. Sometimes there is just nothing like "girl time".
When I first wake up in the morning I have learned to do my series of stretching with my legs BEFORE I try getting out of bed to walk. Otherwise my knees are soo stiff it is truly hard to move. It is amazing how well it works. I think it is true with our lives with the Lord too. We HAVE to stretch in order to move…
I loved this post. It blessed me like soo many others of yours. Hope you had a good day!
Hugs, Debbie
Hi sweet Elaine,
Love IS indeed a game changer that constantly molds and stretches our souls. And thank God, right? Otherwise, our hearts would be very small, like the Grinch who stole Christmas.
SO glad you had this wonderful respite with your friend. I love, love, love Amish food. We have a large Amish community here on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Their apple fritters (and fried chicken) are the absolute best!
May He continue to stretch and mold our hearts to accommodate ALL the love He wants to stuff inside…
Just stopped by to say hello…i haven't been in blogville much these days. I'm glad you had this time with a friend! My husband and I had a similar visit with friends we hadn't spent time with in 10 years, and yes, it was as if no time had passed. Lately I'm realizing how much family and friends mean, and how little time we really have, and I want to make the most of that time.
Nice post thanks for sharing..loves soraya
Amen, amen.
What a wonderful visit for you, Elaine! Thank you for sharing your time with your friend with us. Exposing the heart feels incredibly dangerous, and yet you are so right that it is what God desires of us. I had never thought of my being closed-off compared to what would have happened if God had been closed-off. Taking up the challenge to let my love be stretched.
Beautiful photos…beautiful tribute of loving deeply from ones soul in a friendship made in Heaven!
Hold tight to Christ and to each other!
Love stretches the soul. Love that and it will be echoing in my own soul this week.
I, too, spent time with a dear, dear friend — my sister — two weeks ago. We ate at the same restaurants — and a few more! It's such a restful place.