The Gift of Friendship

Last week I wrote about new life – physical life like my great-nephew who was born over the weekend, and spiritual life demonstrated by the baptisms at our church yesterday and last Sunday.  Today I want to talk about older life – the joy of God’s gift of friendship, and especially with those we have experienced a lot of life with.

You see, on Saturday I had the privilege of getting together for an afternoon with several of my longtime friends that I went to school with.  Most of us have been friends for about 45 years, and we have actively been sharing each others' lives annually for the last 20 of those years!  There are usually about ten of us that get together, depending upon schedules.  Some have started to move away from our area, so our numbers are getting smaller; but most make an effort to attend our luncheon every year. 

God is not only gracious in giving us friendships, but he is also creative.  Not all of my friends are Christians, and not all of them are choosing to walk with God on a daily basis.  But our history holds us together, because we all came from the same small town and the same junior high and high school.  The memories we share still bind us together in ways that wouldn’t necessarily happen if we met each other for the first time today.  Some have careers, some have been homemakers.  Some travel worldwide; others are homebodies.  Most, but not all, are mothers.  Some, but not all, are grandmothers.  Most have endured both hardships and times of great joy.  All are vital, contributing members of society within their own areas of expertise and spheres of influence.   

We were friends originally because of our similarities.  Some played sports together, while others were involved in musical endeavors together.  Most were churchgoers, and most were high achievers.  We all ate lunch together most of our junior high and high school years, depending upon our different class schedules.  Today we still eat lunch together – just not nearly as often!  Our shared history holds us together; but our conversations today are more interesting because of our differences and the different paths we have taken.  Catching up on each others' lives each year is a wonderful privilege and a gift from God that I cherish.  I hope you have a few longtime friends that you still share life with, as well as new friends.  I’m not a very socially-oriented person; but I’ve learned to appreciate the few true friends God has given me.  Can’t wait until next year, girlfriends!