A Gathering of Friends and a Shared Truth

It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.
-Charlotte's Web

Last week in Tennessee I experienced several days that I will never forget. They were wonderful days of laughter, and writing, and talking, and fellowship. It is one of the best times I’ve ever had.

You’re probably wondering what it is I’m talking about. Let me explain. For almost two years I’ve been a part of an online writing membership called the Habit (you can find more about the amazing classes here!). Through the Habit I have been able to connect with other writers over books, words, faith, and many other things. We’ve read each other’s writing, celebrated each other’s success, given encouragement to those stuck on their story, and just gotten to know each other! The Habit is a community that we are all very thankful to be a part of.

Then last week for several days we were able to see each other in person for the very first time. I still can’t believe it actually happened, but yet it did.

Going into the gathering it was hard to know what to expect. As much as I enjoyed talking to these people online, there was the off chance that we wouldn’t get along so splendidly in person. We all claim to be introverts, after all. What’s to say we won’t be totally shy and not even talk to each other?

However, now that the gathering is over I am pleased to report that it was everything I dreamed it would be and more. The writers there are the kinds of people I want to be around. We fell into a comfortable conversation right away. It was like meeting old friends, which is really what it was.

There is so much I could say about the gathering. So many memories I could recall, and feelings I could write about. I tried to capture some of the beauty of that time in this post, but there is so much I had to leave out. However, I hope that you enjoy reading my thoughts on those wonderful few days.

The Beginning

Kindred spirits are not scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world. 
-Anne of Green Gables

During the gathering I got to spend time with people I absolutely loved being around. We talked together, laughed a lot with each other, wrote together, hiked together, danced together, and sang together.

It’s funny how nervous I was when I first got there. Because once we had introduced ourselves and taken in the real actual people in front of us, we were quite honestly talking like old friends. Because, after all, that’s what we were. I knew these people and they knew me.

Every moment was wonderful. On Sunday there was a lot of excitement and hugs as people arrived to our gathering place. It was amazing to talk to these people; it was just what I thought it would be. After dinner we played board games together, which was so much fun! I felt completely comfortable there. Never in my life have I connected with a group of people so quickly. It was unlike anything I’ve experienced. That night when I was getting ready for the night my whole body throbbed with happiness over the past several hours.

The next day we enjoyed various activities such as a writing lesson and hiking through the woods. In the late afternoon we settled down outside to spend a quiet hour of writing. As I sat around a table of girls who were giving their attention to something I gave hours of mine, I felt completely happy. These people spend their time like I spend mine. They loved writing too, and now we were getting to do that thing together.

The feeling of happiness and pleasure carried on into that evening, when we had our Author-Read-Aloud Time. As dusk set in around us a few dozen writers shared their work out loud. It started with our amazing moderator, who read her story (Sir Galahad and the Bowthorpe Oak) out of The Lost Tales of Sir Galahad. Her story was wonderful, and I know everyone there would agree when I say that was the perfect way to start the night.

For the next two hours I was caught up in the words of others. But these weren’t just the words of strangers. These were the words of my own friends. I am blown away by their talent and passion for good, beautiful stories. There was not a single person who read aloud that night whose writing was not absolutely glorious. With each new person I thought, “Wow, I need to tell them how good this is!”

Singing Hymns

There is a far kingdom 
A ways from here 
Beyond the storm and the sea 
There will be no need of darkness
 And none for tears 
When that far kingdom I see.
-Far Kingdom, by The Gray Havens

The next day (our last) was bittersweet from the beginning. We all realized that our time together was coming to a close quickly, and everyone was determined to soak up every second for all its worth.

A group of friends and I started the morning off by doing a Bible study together. At first there were just a few of us, but more people joined until we could barely fit at one table! Getting to take that time with my friends to dive into God’s Word and study its meaning was very special and wonderful.

After that, most of the day was spent just hanging out and enjoying each other’s company. We took some pictures, sang a few songs under the trees, and even did some dancing together. I got to have some wonderful conversations and made unforgettable memories.

But by far, the most amazing part of the day was that evening. After dinner we gathered together and sang hymns and other songs. It was a wonderful time, and such a bittersweet finish to the last couple days. There were so many beautiful songs sang that night. As I looked around at the people in the circle I could see a lot of emotion in each person’s face.

It’s impossible to describe exactly what we felt that evening. It was something very wonderful.

A Bond

What draws people to be friends is that they see the same truth. They share it.
-C. S. Lewis

There are so many lyrics, quotes, songs, and verses that can be used to tell what we felt that evening. But my favorite is by C. S. Lewis. The people I spent my days last week with are so much fun to be around. We love to talk about books, and writing, and characters, and so many other things. We laugh a lot, and talk a lot, and have a wonderful time together. But in the end it boils down to a truth that we all share.

We are writers for the Lord. As we spent that last night singing truths together that became abundantly clear. There is the truth of the gospel and eternity in all our hearts that bonds us together and connects our words with one purpose.

Final Thoughts

How do I wrap up something like this? There is so much I could say, because there was so much goodness in those days. So what stood out to me the most?

There is a fellowship found at the gathering that is remarkable. It is based on truth and common love for beauty and hope (not to mention a fondness of good stories!). It was amazing to witness this community.

But although the ending of this gathering was bittersweet and tearful, it has given me a glimpse of something beautiful. In fact, perhaps it was because of the bittersweet tears that it was so beautiful.

Because the fellowship did not end at goodbye. It did not end with the last song, or the final hug. It continues on the Habit, and it extends to those who weren’t at the gathering, to anyone who shares the same truth.

The gathering was such a beautiful reminder of the bond between us as believers. What have been some times when you felt that truth that you shared? Tell me about it in the comments!