We spent the evening with some friends we had not seen in a while along with others we see often. Homemade pizza always tastes better when it’s accompanied with glasses of wine and most importantly, people to share it with. In the few moments when I was not participating in the melodious sounds of laughter and lives being shared, I was basically just standing back and observing. Observing each person circled around the dining room, observing the kids and friends crowded in the kitchen, eagerly and impatiently awaiting the treasure of yummy pizza that baked in the oven, observing each person exchanging laughter and stories.

Each smile, each joke told, each outburst of laughter were beautiful reminders of how wonderful it is to be connected to one another, to be blessed with friends who have influenced and shaped people around them, simply by living out their love for God -- imperfectly, yes, with mistakes made, yes, but nonetheless, wholeheartedly for God.

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." - Proverbs 17:17