Dinner with an old friend

Tonight I had dinner with an old friend. Actually, to be more accurate, she is my mother's friend, but she is my friend, also, now. We ran into each other at Confession a couple of weeks ago and were happily surprised to find each other there at St. Isidore's Parish on that horribly rainy afternoon. It was so pleasant to have dinner and just chat and chat with M. and her husband. We talked of many things, but mainly about what it is like to be a convert. She lost just about everything when she came back to the Church: all her friends at her old church, her job, even her children and parents were against her. Yet, she has never regretted it. She has had the same experience I have had: she has never felt closer to Jesus than she does now that she is back. That made me smile. I was also overjoyed when she mentioned a friend of hers, a Latvian woman who has been Baptist all her life who is in the process of converting. I was very interested in talking with this woman, and M. promised to introduce me to her. For one thing, I have never met a Latvian and want to ask her all about her country and culture. Also, I haven't yet met any Baptist converts, like me. I will blog about my conversations with her after they occur! M. also told me fascinating stories about her upbringing in Germany and what her family went through during and after WWII. We talked about that for a long time. Some day I will share her mother's story, if she gives me her permission. Anyway, it was a very lovely evening. I'd like to challenge all of you for this week: call up an old friend whom you haven't seen in several years and invite her to dinner. Get reaquainted. Chat. There is something so comforting in seeing an old friend, and M. gave me a very nice compliment. She told me that even though she didn't know me terribly well when I knew her years ago, since we mainly just knew each other through my mother, she could tell that I was very happy and content. She said that a happiness and joy radiated through me that wasn't present years ago. I told her it's true, I do have a happiness and joy inside of me that wasn't there before. Yes, I have known Jesus since I was a small child, but there is SO MUCH MORE now! I feel like the previous years were the appetizers before the great feast. I could go on and on, but it's late and I am probably boring you to tears. I will go now. Just do what I say: call up an old friend and invite her to dinner. Then let me know how it goes.