I can’t think of a better way to start the New Year than to celebrate the love we have in our lives. The people we share this journey we call life with must be gifts from God. I am incredibly thankful for the friends that have shared my past, my present and will be part of my future. Friends make life easier. They love unconditionally and they celebrate who we are. I have a wonderful group of friends who are also my brothers and sisters in Christ at the Ohatchee Church of Christ. I have been in church all of my life and I have never met such a large group of people who get along so well. It’s truly a blessing to worship alongside others who admit they are sinners as well, just trying to find their way to Heaven. Led by an amazing minister, Wayne Dunaway, we had an very successful 2010, baptizing 33 new members and enjoying leading souls to Christ. My church family is so supportive. I recently had the honor of delivering the first sermon of 2011, entitled “Life’s A Journey.” It’s uplifting to know there are so many wonderful friends taking that journey with me.
After twenty years in business, it has been drilled into me that you can’t have friendships with people you work with, but as a Christian, you can have friends wherever you go. I am fortunate to work alongside colleagues who are just as spiritual as I. My assistant, Brandi and I have forged a friendship bond that will last beyond our time at work. Her family has become a second family to me, and we rely on each other for prayer, daily encouragement and strength. With God, not just anything, but everything is possible. I cherish the friends I have made in my career, past and present. I want to hold on to those relationships for all time. The people we spend our careers with can often shape who we become.
As a person with Bipolar Disorder, I used to feel completely alone inside and as if no other person ever felt the way I did. Several years ago, I met my friend Michelle, through an online support group. Again, God’s wonderful hand at work, we forged a mutually encouraging relationship and have grown so close, we feel like we have been family forever. She lives in Seattle, but we talk as often as possible and email one another daily. It’s as if, when I cry out to God for understanding and mercy, He works through Michelle to comfort me. Our church has developed a new emotional wellness support group in the last few months and the friendships and bonds we have formed by using scripture and prayer to help one another is amazing. The love of others is most certainly one of God’s answers to my prayers.
Every person has an inner circle of friends. We call them our “best friends.” Oh, how I cherish the memories made with childhood friends that have lasted a life time. Sometimes you can go for years and not see the friends you love, but you can pick right back up just where you left off if the friendship is true. My best friend from high school and college, Ken, is probably one of the most outstanding guys you will ever meet. He is a great father, husband and businessman. I was honored to serve as his best man when we were younger, and those kind of memories are something that anyone would want to treasure forever. The laughter and tears you share with people as you progress on your journey is an essential part of life. I believe people who embrace friendship and are not afraid to say “I love you,” or show emotion are more likely to build longer lasting relationships. It seems kind of odd to use the term “best friend” so frequently and especially at my age, but when I think about my circle of friends and how they inspire me, it’s the only term that does them justice. Brandi, Michelle, Kim, Aimee, Tracy, Cindy, Misty, and Paul are just a few of the people I run to when I am happy, sad, successful, or troubled. God is certainly the best friend any Christian could have. I am certain he works through others to guide, guard, and direct us.
I am so fortunate to have family members that I consider to be my friends also. My grandmother always raised her grandchildren to be as close as siblings, to love each other forever. I am lucky to have cousins who share my life and love me unconditionally. I have two first cousins, Rhonda and Sherry that were raised next door to me, and for years I thought they were my sisters. In fact, we still tell people today that we are brother and sister. With the two of them, I know the true meaning of the word soul mate. I know that regardless of what happens in my life, I will never be alone. Sherry once told me, “when you hurt, I hurt.” Just the other day, I got a text from Rhonda, everything was fine, she just had a feeling that she needed to check on me. That’s love. That’s friendship and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Remember, friendship is like a good book, it takes a while to write, and when you are done, what a masterpiece!
No comments:
Post a Comment