I was longing for a true friend.

The previous months had been painful. I had lost my boyfriend through a frightening breakup, and I felt the disappearance of friends whom I had trusted would be there.

Loneliness was everywhere in my life.

I was now beginning to see so many things in my life that needed to change, but felt so overwhelming.

I wanted true deep mutual trusting relationships.

I sat across the table from her, nearly neglecting my Greek salad with chicken in place of the nourishing conversation we were experiencing together. It had been many years since we had briefly lived together as roommates, and we were reconnecting again, but perhaps truly for the first time.

As we shared a meal together, we also shared our stories. Not just the pleasant parts, but we each risked and shared our stories of shame as well. It was the beginning of the greatest gift of friendship and connection with the dearest friend I know.

"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will heal you" (Isaiah 38:5).

The relationships that I had had to let go of felt so painful, but because of their absence, I now had space to receive the gift of a true and mutual friendship as a delightful precious treasure.

God had not left me alone in my sadness, but was waiting for me to be ready in His perfect timing.

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Do you have a friend in your life who has been a gift along your journey? If not yet, how can you make space in your life for God to bring you what you are longing for?