I got friends (while I'm) in low places

Moving back to the USA was going to be a major adjustment after 2 years in Scotland. There was never any doubt about that. Initial challenges of culture shock, financial stability, and reconnecting with friends and family stared us in the face before we even left. Those were the tangible things that we could plan on from our first day on rich, Scottish soil because we were facing them on arrival as well as departure.

Due to pride I thought the easiest would be the latter. Connecting with people. Friends to come home to. Relationships.

Wrong

It was more difficult than I thought. There was a problem. ME

I was under a self assumption that i was good enough of a person that i could be absent from friendships and community and they would willingly wait on me without any upkeep. You can't TIVO your friends.

I have learned a lot by my time away.

1. Kathryn is my grounding wire. Without her i would bend and strain in the wind like a 50 ft pine tree. I would waiver with the slightest breeze and sway with it as it changed. I am tied to her now in more ways than I can or will describe.

2. Friendships are all different and some may have changed while I was away. I made the terrible accusation to a friend that they were being a bad friend because they didn't keep in touch with me as I thought they ought to. That was one of the most self centered things I have ever done. I regret it and I am sorry.

3. Family is a God created institution. My parents and in-laws have been instrumental since we came back. They have fed my marriage with shelter, food, wisdom, money, love, and the list goes on. I am indebted to them and grateful for the reflection of grace they are daily.

I am also grateful for the new friends I have made. Within 3 weeks of making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, I had 5 friends put their weekend on pause to drive 3 hours roundtrip to help me move. On a friday night. In the rain. At night.

I still have a lot to learn