The Greatest Treasure

I didn't realize how much I missed Tom & Jen and their great cooking until last night. I had never experienced gourmet cooking within someone's home until I was introduced to Tracy's boss and wife 7 years ago. They live in this amazing kitchen (I mean home, with a GINORMOUS kitchen!) What comes out of that kitchen is music in my mouth no matter what it is and I am honored to sit at their table each time we are invited over. The food and conversation has been missed.
There is history between Tracy and Tom. Tracy became an "orphan" in their home as he moved to Denver and took an internship with Tom after college. There was a long hiatus from their cooking and their friendship as both families started having more children and Tracy moved to another job for a few years. We have been so fortunate to be reunited as Tracy is back working with Tom and our younger children are the same ages.
Tom's turning 40 tomorrow and so we went to his birthday party this weekend. There were new and old faces - laughing, talking, eating and recalling memories of Tom's yesterdays. Tracy works with a group of goof-balls who have so much fun together. Each of the men were there. Mark arrived late (the newsome to their office foursome), way overdressed, ready to go to a black tie event. Who was he going with? Someone he met at the dog park! He never ceases to amaze me. So very handsome, debonair, always meeting new people and sharing amazing stories. He makes you feel like an old friend from the moment you meet him. He's had lunches with millionaires and has had experiences like no other person I have ever known. His connections are impressive to say the least. He seems to have it all.
As he stood to go, we went to Tom's side, hugged him, wished him a great birthday, looked around the dinner table and said - It is an honor to know you all.
I couldn't stop thinking about it the rest of the night. I looked around at each face; there were some great people sitting next to me and across from me. There is something amazing and sweet that happens when children of God come together who are open to sharing their faith, their lives and their love - Lives are touched in an eternal way. Mark is curious but has not accepted Jesus' love and forgiveness. He sees it everyday though and he is being pursued by the Holy Spirit. I don't know him all that well, but I think he would have rather stayed with us around that table than leave for his formal affair.
I am becoming more and more convinced that now is the time for deeper friendships. There are too many people searching for the answers I hold inside my heart. They need to see that Jesus doesn't live in the neighborhood church but inside his people. Be that friend, find that friend who needs you, share with that friend the greatest treasure. Chances are if you are living your life for Christ, they are already honored to call you friend.

2 Cornithians 4:7 - But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.