Friendship

Over 40 years ago I was newly married and moved to a city where I knew no one. My husband and I knew it was important to find a church and become a part of it. Little did we know how God would bless us when we found one. We met some other couples who were close to our age and were in the early stages of their marriage. We soon began to hang out. None of us had a whole lot and so we gathered in each other’s homes and ate a lot of beans and cornbread. We met together quite often and did church activities together.

My husband was in the Army and after a couple of years we were sent to Germany. Life moved us on. Only one couple remained in the city where it all began. There would be the Christmas card at times. But, getting to visit and talk would be a rarity.

This past week after 40 plus years, five of us were able to get together. What a reunion! I have to be honest, I was a little nervous. What will we say? I know I look older (ha!) You know all the things women worry about! Well, I didn’t have to worry. We had each been praying about this day and this time. God was present. He knew the love we had for each other so many years ago that it felt we had never been apart. He tendered our hearts to be able to share the good, the bad and the ugly. We did not feel shame but understanding. We prayed together. We laughed and we cried. We read God’s word.

In the end we realized what a blessing we had. We realized that at the center of this friendship (despite our crazy lives) was God.

Choose your friends wisely. Choose friends who share their love of God with you. Choose friends who you can trust. Friends who will build you up but still fill you with truth. A true friend is no greater blessing.