I had the blessing to spend today with one of my closest friends that I haven’t seen in over a year and a half. It’s one thing to be away from people that know you well for a long time, but it’s such a blessing when you can sit down and feel like you haven’t missed a beat. Honestly, coming home has been almost awkward when I’ve run back into old friends, but when Tommy and I tried to think back when the last time was we hung out, it was close to two years ago. That would’ve totally fooled me.
I think the main reason is that when most people come off of the mission field, there’s almost this sense that no one else will understand what they’ve been through. I’ve had that thought facing many conversations so far, but it’s almost been fueled by religious snobbery. Whatever pride I had about my last year and a half, never came into play with this guy. We just traded stories about what God has done in the past year or so and just spoke of His incredible guidance on our lives.
It took a solid four hour lunch conversation to even break the ice of catching each other up after so long, but we ended up shutting up about our experiences and just talked about God’s providence in our lives and what we felt like He was leading us in to. I almost feel overwhelmed at times when I sit people down to tell them about my experiences, but despite being gone for so long from such a close friend, testimonies just flew back and forth. It’s always much more encouraging when the person I’m talking with is just as excited about their past year and a half as I am about mine. I would much rather trade praises than dominate the conversation.
As far as Tommy goes, he’s one of the most solid guys I’ve ever met. In a couple of months, he’ll be marrying into an Iranian family to a beautiful girl, Arian, who happens to be another close friend of mine (she actually introduced us and said she thought we would be friends… good call). He’ll be finished up with his degree this spring right after he marries this girl and then only God knows what will happen next. He’s traveled all over the world to some of the most dangerous places in the 10/40 window, and the Gospel is ready on his lips. It was so incredible to hear all about how this message was still shaping him in his daily life here.
I’m not too sure where Tommy is headed, but I’m pretty sure Arian is along for the ride and God is going to do some incredible things with the two of them. God is continuing to shape him and even change his perspective on a few things from time to time. I can honestly tell you, that he’s the type of guy that I get excited about talking to. God has done such an incredible redemptive work in all of us and we need to remember what He’s done. If you’re a Christian, we all know that doesn’t make everything perfect, but look at what He’s done in you and remember those promises He’s kept and is still keeping.
For me, it’s all about the Gospel and that kingdom. I can’t forget that, and it’s so incredible to keep reminding myself of what all has already been done…
