“Time to Chat?” (06/21/2025)

I was sitting on my porch this morning, doing what I do every day at that spot, when I heard a ding. I checked my phone because it was pretty early for a text. It was from my baby brother: “Good morning, oh wise big sister. Are you up this morning sitting on the porch watching the golf balls fly by as you ponder life?” I smiled and texted back “Yes” with a thumb’s up emoji. I asked about him. He responded, “Time to chat?” to which I replied, “Sure.” And within seconds the phone rang.

We spent the next 20+ minutes chatting about life, our activities, our questions, our struggles. We laughed a lot considering that time of day. There is a blessing that is hard to explain to others that comes from talking to another who “gets you.” Our topics ranged from scripture to square dancing, from wisdom to wishes. It was a great conversation. Just what I needed. Thank you, LORD.

Our lives are meant to be shared with others. We are meant to be both companions and accompaniers. We can navigate better with another who understands the journey and who helps us remember that no matter where we are, the LORD is with us. It helps to have another who sees what we miss, who hears what we haven’t, who knows us better at times than we know ourselves.

Over the years, I have been blessed in abundance with others who willingly shared the journey with me. And while my sense of “independence” still surfaces frequently, I am grateful for those who remind me gently at times and at times not so subtly that spiritual reliance is part of the journey. It helps to have another by my side who can call me into accountability lovingly.

This day, as we go forward on our journeys in the LORD in whom we live and move and have our being, may we also accept the gift of others who offer to walk with us, to join in our journey, to give us a hand, a word of encouragement, a reminder now and then. And may we open ourselves to being a companion to others along the way. We’ve miles to go – let’s journey together.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.