Every summer, my best buddy, Sheryl and I get together for a weekend of, “Gal/Pal” fun. What previously was a three-minute walk down the street as youngsters, now undergoes a grueling six-hour drive crossing two state lines. Our friendship of fifty-two years includes many transformations, from childhood, teenagers, young adults, mature adults and now seniors. We grew up knowing each other’s family. As neighbors, she and I were constantly together. We shared laughter, tears, good times and bad. We will remain friend until one of us goes home to be with the Lord.
This past winter I volunteered in the high school ministry group. I was sorry to hear many teens don’t have a friend they’ve had since third grade. The young ladies from teen group were envious of having a friend for fifty-two years. The biggest difference of then and now is when I was growing up, people just didn’t move around. Parents stayed together, bought their home, raised their children and remained in the home long after their children had children of their own. Kids knew each other, played together, went to school and graduated together. Those were the wonderful times.
Sheryl came to visit this weekend. We had a fantastic time shopping, having lunch, going to a museum, the local Farmer’s Market and Sunday Service at my local church. As we found our seats, there were two women sitting in a few seats down.
We greeted each other and shared a few pleasantries, waiting for the sermon to begin. There was something about Debbie and her mother, Jean that just felt comfortable to me. I could see the power of the Lord in both women. They were both radiant physically and spiritually. Seldom do I feel a connection with people I just meet. My personality type you could say is more of a recluse than a gregarious type. I felt the power of the Lord moving me to reach out to these ladies. I wanted to get together, have lunch and get acquainted. As I prayed, the Lord told me I should share one of my Sister Christian cards with her. I had forgotten I even had them in my purse. She was so gracious and expressed her desire to reach out to me.
As Sheryl and I said our good-byes, I told her how excited I was to get to know these ladies. Sheryl said she felt the power of the Lord in them too. I was so excited to have made a new friend while saying good-bye to my old friend.
The Lord wants us to be in relationship with others. We are one family. For those of us that have no biological living family members, our church family can be a wonderful replacement. We all have one Father and all of us are children of Christ.
