Sent a text.  Asked if she could come talk with me.  Had a question to ask.  Texted back to say Shiloh is brim full of people, but we could try to find a quiet corner somewhere.  The living room emptied out just prior to her arrival.  And so we settled in for what turned out to be a two hour visit.

She wanted to make reservations for a group she is in to come and use the library.  Couldn't make the reservation.  Conflicted with another event.

We used to be close.  Real close.  I'm old enough to be her mother, but age didn't matter.  She used to pour her heart out to me at very deep levels.  And then she broke the relationship.  No provocation.  Had dreams to chase.  Other interests to pursue.  Left me wondering what I'd done wrong.  

At random intervals she'd come back for a brief visit.  Mostly to brag about how high she was soaring.  The relationship was never the same.  After some years she finally revealed that all that glitters is not gold.  Her dreams had become nightmares. Everywhere she turned was a dead end.  Wished she could go back in time and do things differently.  

That was her last visit.  Today she confessed she has changed.  She's not the same girl she was  back then.  She's learned a lot about life.  Grown up.  Matured.  Stronger in the Lord, too.  

And we talked.  At deep levels.  She has come back to the relationship.  Older and wiser.  Regretting the lost years.  Grateful Mama Alice is willing to forgive and forget.  

As she was leaving thanked me for all we had shared.  Said she had been to a banquet.  Was leaving well fed, with plenty to drink, metaphorically speaking. 

Shiloh exists for people like her.  We make every sacrifice so that this lady, and many others just like her, can learn to walk well with God.  The ups and downs of relationship are well worth it when we see individuals progressing towards godliness in all their ways.