Today I’m joining a talented group of writers at Five Minute Friday. This community connects each Friday in an online, unedited free-write based on a one-word prompt. My timer is set for 5 minutes. Let’s see where this week’s prompt–BUILD–leads me.

It was in the spring of 2016 when she came to me. I sensed she was troubled and needed to talk. We had spent time together teaching Sunday School classes, and she served as a deacon in our church.

In January of the same year, I had fallen. My injuries had left me with chronic pain in my back and pelvis. I was finding myself increasingly in need of someone to share my concerns and thoughts with.

We began meeting for coffee from time to time. I learned she was going through a divorce. Because of my past history, she had approached me with questions about Christianity and divorce. I knew her father was in the medical field, and my hope was she might be able to answer some questions about treatment for chronic pain. You might say we had a mutual need and willingness to respond.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

 

Without too much thought, we began living out the words in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. We were encouraging each other, supporting one another, and building each other up.

Soon, she announced she would be moving about an hour away. Feelings of loss began to simmer until we hit upon a plan–phone conversations each Tuesday evening for an hour.

That was three years ago, and we still hold to our commitment to one another. I’m still suffering chronic pain and facing surgery soon. She has happily moved into a new life in a new place and is thriving.

Together, the two of us built a community of friendship and love.