Just as lotions and fragrance give sensual delight, a sweet friendship refreshes the soul. Proverbs 27:9 MSG
We had a picnic with four of our friends yesterday. It was lovely. It wasn’t even a traditional picnic in a field or park, but rather a picnic out of the back door and in a tiny patch of yard behind the one couple’s house. We had so much food; meats, cheeses, bread, crackers, fruit and pickles, all spread out across the outdoor table. We had so much food infact that we spread blankets on the ground and sat on them to eat because the food took up the whole table! The early June weather was a balmy and the sky so blue it could have been plucked from a post card. We were in no hurry. We ate, we talked, we laughed, and then ate some more.
The other couple has a new baby and there was lots of time spent in baby snuggles. Nothing says rest without worries quite like a plump baby snoozing in your arms in the afternoon shade. It felt so good to just relax. To be like the baby and shrug off our cares for a while in order to just be wholly present in the moment- drinking every bit of sun dappled glory that the afternoon had to offer.
The Bible tells us a good friend refreshes the soul, but how often do we overlook this simple truth? I think about how many times I’ve considered spending time with friends to be superfluous, and have not made plans in order to “get more done”. But people are more important than things or my to do list. Yes there are still responsiblities to be upheld but how many other tasks that are not critical get put on the “Must Do” list?
I love checking things off my to do list! I love the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a totally x-ed off list. But I do notice these things don’t feed my soul like sharing a good, slow meal with a close friend does. I don’t feel my energy renew after finishing a project as it renews after a rich conversation with a loved one. We need people. Take time to pour into someone else, and feel yourself simultaneously getting filled back up! Be a friend, refresh and be refreshed!