New Friends (12/12/2023)

People ask me all the time why I wear a hat to church. I try to explain that it helps me to put on the virtue of humility as I prepare to attend my LORD’s banquet. As I place the hat upon my head, I remind myself of the LORD whom I love and who is above me. But I have come to realize that there is actually a benefit to wearing a hat that most wouldn’t suspect. It makes one recognizable to others, which in my case has resulted in my circle of friends enlarging. How? Well let me explain.

Last Sunday, after church, my friend and I did what we usually do, we went for breakfast. As we were nearing the door to the café, a woman also approaching the café, stepped up, opened the door and said, “I saw you two in church today. I just love your hats.” We thanked her and stepped inside. Once inside we realized that tables were at a premium, and so, we introduced ourselves to Kate and John and invited them to share a table with us and our other two friends who usually join us. We spent the next hour getting to know one another. As I walked to the car, I gave thanks to the LORD for two new friends and companions on our journey.

That isn’t the first time that has happened at the same place on a Sunday. Just a few weeks back, a couple who will be moving to Lake Mills attended Mass at our church. I recognized them; I had seen them walking in as I was outdoors trying to recruit help with the cookie give away after Mass. I wasn’t able to connect with them then; but when I saw them at the café, I walked over to introduce myself. And immediately I heard, “I recognize you from church.” We laughed, introduced ourselves, and chatted a bit. I then introduced them to everyone at our table. And everyone welcomed them to the community and expressed a desire to come to know them even better.

Having been an “import” most of my life, I know what it is like to be “new” and “friendless.” It’s a lesson I’ve learned for the journey: reach out to others because we all need companions on the way. This time of year, especially, let us be on the lookout for those whom we do not know who are sharing the journey with us at church, in the neighborhood.

Let us welcome others and walk with them a while. We will find, I believe, that it benefits us all, as we come to see the face of Christ more clearly in the face of another.

And so, I’ll keep my hats dusted off and ready. One never knows when it might be just the thing I need to open the door to a new friendship in Christ.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.