As we drive home from a wonderful Labor Day weekend trip, where my fast was mostly observed 😉, I write and reminisce! Given that my treasured Louisiana friend became my Sweet Home Alabama friend, I have missed seeing her each excursion homeward where I grew up. We calculated the days since seeing her last and realized it has been well over two years. So, my generous husband drove me to Alabama and my kindhearted friend generously hosted us. She is the most spoiling hostess and talented cook besides possessing so many more fabulous gifts!

Our friendship began way back in 1987, shortly after my husband moved our little family from Alabama to Louisiana—when he accepted a call to be the pastor of a small country church and where I began My Practice as a pastor’s wife! Most of those 36 years were lived across country from one another yet hanging on to a friendship that had sparked! Of course, neither of us knew the roller coaster ride our worlds would take. I think it only served to grow our friendship over the years into a true gift from a loving God!

There is something truly special about the “banner of friendship” uniting a deeper kinship not of this world! Our thoughtful Creator also gave us an added connection in that our birthdays are next door to one another: Her’s, October 7 and mine, October 8; Although she a whole year older 😉 Sorry, Carolyn, I had to say it!

Yet in 1990, our Sovereign Lord gave us something else that would connect us. To celebrate our birthdays that year, we went putt-putting!! Can you see an enormously pregnant woman bending over to pick up her ball on the putt-putting green?! Yeah, that’s me, with my third child! I was uncomfortable to say the least and unbeknownst to each of us, contractions had begun. By the following day, a blonde haired, blue-eyed baby girl made her appearance. And there again, we were given another gift, my baby born on my friend’s birthday. Sometimes we miss all that God does and gives, until we are intentional in looking and remembering!

P.S. I took some liberties with my dairy/sugar fast for Labor Day weekend especially since my friend is a great cook and lives around famous restaurants serving my favorite dishes: seafood!

However, earlier in the month of August my stomach notified me of the indulgences I took part in while helping a Colorado granddaughter celebrate her 4^th birthday as well as her dad (my son), celebrate 40! At that time returning home from our August adventure, I immediately began my FODMAP eating plan to get control of the pain, bloating, etc. So now, I begin again, getting back on track by God’s grace.

P.S.S. If you desire to have the banner of “Jehovah Nissi” (Exodus 17:15) cover your life, you can find Him in the pages of His Word—the Bible. He IS the way the truth and the Life (John 14:6). As Solomon extends the banner of love over his beloved in His poetic book, Song of Solomon (2:4), we can well paint a picture of the glories to come for those IN CHRIST around HIS banqueting table and experiencing the banner of love for all eternity! Believe on Him today (Acts 16:31).

Fairhope, Alabama