Nine years ago my parents drove from their home in Eugene, Oregon, to inform my husband and me they had decided to divorce after nearly half a century of marriage. It was one of the saddest experiences of our lives as a family and forever changed our dynamics.

It was that year my husband began saying, “We ARE an American family!” It’s a line used by Tom Hanks in the movie, “You’ve Got Mail,” and perfectly described our evolving family. In time we blossomed to include step parents and step kids. Holidays and celebrations began featuring new places, faces and foods.

For months I attempted to understand and accept the changes well enough so I could share my experiences with readers. I eventually wrote a four-column series and the email poured in.

While everyone who took the time to write touched me deeply, it was one particular email from a woman living in the south that stood out. She and her husband were contemplating retirement and thought Whidbey Island might be just the place to move. They kept abreast of local issues and events by subscribing to the Whidbey News-Times and after reading my columns, she felt compelled to write. Buoyed by her own experiences with divorce and family reordering, as well as extensive training as a spiritual caregiver with the nationwide Stephen Ministry program, this steel magnolia encouraged me to be happy that both of my parents had found love and happiness once again.

Jump ahead five years and I am sitting in a church here in Oak Harbor, listening to members make announcements about ways people could get involved in the life of the congregation. Even though I was new to the congregation at that time, it was the same denomination I attended as a youngster and I felt gloriously at home. The order of worship, songs, and readings stirred me deeply and I couldn’t wait to dive in. In short order I learned about an upcoming potluck, the need for Habitat for Humanity volunteer workers, and various items being collected for an upcoming week of vacation Bible school. Then I watched as a lively and petite lady asked if there was anyone who might be interested in becoming a Stephen Minister. The extensive training was about to begin and she had a hunch there might be one more interested volunteer.

That volunteer was me. The woman making the announcement was the very same steel magnolia who had taken the time to reach out, comfort and challenge me five years before when my family life was filled with enormous change.

“I’ve been wanting to be part of this program for many years,” I told her. When she asked my name I nearly had to pick her off the floor.

We are both fond of telling this story. We call it, “A God Thing!” and it delights us both to share with others our experience with the way God intertwined our lives. As friends and faith “sisters,” life is better together—in faith, with God, in friendship, with hope.

I love you, Bebe.

Reach Joan Bay Klope at faithfulliving@hotmail.com.