on friendship // let's see each other

There was a time, years ago, that a priest and I were in a car together driving somewhere in Washington, DC. Honestly, it's been so long I forget where we were going, but we had the windows rolled down, the breeze was beautiful, and DC was thriving with its busyness, culture, and life.

We were at a stop when Father beckoned a homeless man toward us. The first thing that came from this man's mouth and heart were, "Father. Why do they not see me?"

His question was so full of authenticity and sincerity. It was quiet. My heart was stilled at those very words. I don't remember what Father told him but I know they had an exchange. I sat beside watching them embrace before the light turned. So many of my thoughts since that encounter have consumed me.

He wants to be seen.

I want to be seen. To be known.

We all want to be seen and known.

To be seen means so much. It's not a brief eye-nod as you pass. Nor is it just looking at the person across from you at the table. It's something a little more than that.

It's the kind of seen that so many would encounter when meeting Blessed Mother Theresa. It's the kind of seen that recognizes and embraces your amazing goodness, God-given dignity, and beautiful soul all at once. It's the kind of seen that says, Show me you, I want to know, serve, and love the person that you are.

Lately, friendship has been on my mind a lot. And apparently it has been on the mind of many in the blogosphere. There have been hearts that have been poured fourth in the form of a post by some really lovely women. Some seeking. All encouraging. These posts have touched on so many of the areas that we, as women, sometimes struggle to put into words.

In fact, Melody over at Blossoming Joy, put words and spirit to an inner turmoil that meets so many women. It was beautiful. You really must read it. It will leave you breathless and in tears because there is so much hard truth and great goodness.

It will leave you so because it touches on the very thing that we so much yearn for. To be seen.

The thing is, it's easy to say Hi to each other. It's easy to chat about the silly and the diapers and the need for the coffee, the wine, or whatever your daily happy-in-a-cup may be. All good in and of themselves because they all share a little tidbit of you. But to really see someone you have to go a little further. You have to be open to see the struggle and hurt as much as the fun and silly because we are a broken people. Each aspect of who we are serve a purpose greater than us. Each aspect of us reflects the one who created us in His Image. Most profoundly in marriage but also just as beautiful in friendship.

Being women, this speaks to our feminine heart. Why? Well for a ton of reasons I'm sure! But what comes to my mind is that we were created to be in communion. In the very raw beginning of woman, we were formed for another. Man was created and had his time with God. Their union and friendship was good. And then God created woman - a helpmate. It is at our core to reflect this goodness of God. To reflect beautiful friendship and communion. It's no wonder it means so much to us!

But then enters sin.

We are broken. We've been hurt. We've been left. We've been taken advantage of. Discouraged and/or let down. We've been ignored, brushed aside and not seen. Sin has broken us.

But then there's grace, His mercy, His Cross, His Resurrection, and courage.

He has conquered and called us to be disciples. When Christ met His apostles, His friends, after rising from the dead He said, "Peace be with you" and showed them his wounds. He started with peace. He met them as they were. There was joy and excitement and then He brought them closer into His joy and His suffering, his triumph and His cross so that He could be more fully revealed.

So that He could be seen and known.

Friends, let's be courageous. Let's meet each other in our joys and our struggles and not be afraid.

We were not created to be lone islands. We are here to raise each other up. To walk together. To know and see each other all the while sharing the gift of our faith and Lord.

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Friendship can be complicated and tough and distanced and awkward. Time may be limited. Distance may be a factor. Crying children may be happening but let's still meet. There may be loads of laundry, messy hair, and craziness, but let's still see each other. There may be sorrow, depression, injuries, anxieties, and pain but let's be brave together. We are sisters in Him and His grace, love, and goodness are stronger than all of our goodness and all of our mess.

Let's believe that. Let's trust in Him. Let's meet each other. Let's know each other. Let's love each other in friendship and fellowship so that we may authentically see one another and embrace the gift of our feminine genius along this journey towards Heaven.

How do you meet and see your beloved sisters in friendship? What nourishes? What hinders?

Let's chat in the combox.