At home with friends

i am so grateful for my precious friends
my friends who don't judge me, who don't condemn me
who take me as I am
knowing that I'm not all I need to be
but know that they aren't either
and this life is a process
and that I'm getting better
and getting stronger
and knowing that there is a God
who is in control
who is molding me and shaping me
even now
even as I am

imagine you are tired
and have had a long day
and you finally arrive home
and have no responsibilities
and can kick off your shoes
the temperature is perfect
the house is quiet
your are at home
you are at peace
you are at rest

this is the feeling I get with my friends
my friends who love ME
and not a preconceived notion of what I should be
THIS is ME
THIS is where I am
and they are ok with that
because they love ME

what would I do without you, friend???
how could i make it without people like you in my life??

others bind and constrict me
hinder my growth
hamper my spirit
make me sad
make me want to run

i will grow
i will be better

for now, i am ok
because of you

and am so grateful
for you

my at-home friends