Sheltering Trees

Sheltering Tree - Newsong

It's been said a friend is like a mighty sheltering tree
A place of refuge we can run when trouble comes for you and me
Someone we can count on through the thick and thin
When the storms of life are blowing there’s just nothing like a friend
(There's just nothing like a friend)

Chorus:
We all need sheltering tress
Friends in our lives who'll get down on their knees
And lift us up before the King of Kings
We all need sheltering trees

There've been days that I was sure that I couldn't make it through
Clouds of doubt came rolling in and I didn't know what I would do
I would've given in and said I just can't go on
If it hadn't been for a friend that helped me to be strong
(Helped me to be strong)

Chorus

Bridge:
You can face the highest mountain and the climb won't feel so high
Or cross the darkest valley and it won't seem so wide
Nothing is impossible when a friend is by your side

Chorus 2x

I first heard this song when a dear friend, Kim gave me the Newsong CD Sheltering Tree as a present about 5 years ago. "The Christmas Shoes" was the BIG hit on the CD, but once I really listened to "Sheltering Tree", it became my anthem for Christian fellowship. Kim and I met via our college alumni "listserve" probably about 10 years ago. We emailed back and forth for years, knowing that we had a bond that extended beyond graduating from the same college. We finally met for real in 2001, when I dragged my then 14-month old son to Mississippi to share a hotel room with Kim for Homecoming. She was pretty darned brave to share a room with a woman she'd never met AND her almost-toddler. She brought my bug hunter the cutest little stuffed pig in it's own little wagon, and that pig was his constant companion for YEARS (it actually began to smell like a real pig after a while!). He still loves "Pig".. and I still love Kim. She and I have reconnected via Facebook, and I love being able to "chat" with my KayJay. I love you, Kim Jobe!
This month has been a month of reconnecting for me, in many ways. Sue, the friend with whom I've had the longest unbroken relationship (we met in 1982, and I have NEVER lost touch with her since then), let me know back in December that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, it was at Stage 0, and after going for several years with minimal contact, we've met a couple of times for lunch, talked on the phone, and emailed often (I even got her to create her very own Facebook.. go Sue!). Last night, she invited me to a gathering at her house to celebrate the end of her treatment. It was so much fun to meet her friends; we swapped "Sue" stories, looked at pictures, and laughed.. a LOT. Oh, how I love this sweet friend!
And then there's Sara, who I met in a mom's group at the hospital at which I delivered the bug hunter. When he was 7 weeks old, I was just about stir-crazy, and I found out about the support group, which met once a week and was headed up by a labor and delivery nurse. It was wonderful; the nurse would weigh our babies weekly, and she'd answer all of our questions. We had big blankets spread out on the floor and we all sat around, talking a mile a minute and reveling in the human connection that we missed so much while at home with our babies. And Sara was the very first woman that I met and chatted with; her boy was born 3 weeks before mine, and I loved her quiet, gentle nature. Over the weeks, she, I, and several others became friends, and we decided to create our own playgroup outside of the support group. Ten of us started out, and we stayed together for well over a year. But, a couple of moms moved away, and others began to fill their calendars with other activities. Four of us stayed together for another year and then drifted apart as preschool came into the picture. But, Sara has always stayed in touch, and even though we don't get together often, we DO still see each other at least a couple of times a year. This week, she got in touch, wanting for the boys to get together, so we met today and they bowled, while we caught up on life. Another sheltering tree that remains intact in my forest of friends, and I'm so thankful.
Then, there's Jessica , who I met at church about four years ago. Her oldest son and mine became good buddies last year as I spent a LOT of time helping to lead the 1st-5th grade kids program while she helped to lead the preschool department. This year, the boys aren't together in KidsROCK as often, and the bug hunter really misses being with his friend. At the same time, Jessica and I have gotten to know each other better. We've met for playdates at a local jumpee place and had the chance to chat while her kids and my boy played. And, over the past couple of weeks, we've bonded over American Idol by keeping up a running commentary via Facebook in real time. I have laughed til I almost cried over some of her comments, and I'm so happy to say that she's my friend! Yet another strong oak that I can count on for protection.
The list could go on and on, from my next door neighbor Diana to my school friends Cheryl (best "room mom who didn't volunteer to BE a room mom" EVER) and Amy (sweetest and most beautiful angel friend in the world.. and she won Miss Congeniality in the Miss Alabama pageant, to boot!) to my new bloggy buddies April, Sandy, AmyDeanne, and Jennifer, who so faithfully comment and make me feel like SOMEBODY besides me reads my blog! There's Janet, who is the MOST awesome Cub Scout den leader ever. And "the other Pam", who I knew in high school and yet didn't REALLY know til we connected through.. you guessed it.. Facebook. What an incredibly talented artist, and I had NO idea til lately. And, finally, there's Cile, who manages to bless me from across the ocean in Hungary, with her blog comments, emails, and hugs and gifts when she visits here. As I look around at the sheltering trees who surround me, I am humbled and comforted. And I get down on MY knees to thank God for giving me such a bounty of love. Look around.. how many sheltering trees do you see in YOUR life?