That's What Friends Are For

I Samuel 18:1

My husband was speaking to our youth group last night about friendship. I am very blessed to have so many wonderful friends. I would love to list them all for you, but I would be afraid of missing someone. (I'm working with a human brain.) And I would be concerned about offending anyone by listing them in the wrong order. I will just share 'friend' stories from my life, as they happen.

I was reminded twice this week of what wonderful friends God has given me.

Last night, my great friend Vicki allowed my youngest daughter to invite herself over for the night and an all day visit. Brittany is close friends with Vicki's two daughters, Savannah and Mackenzie. Vicki eagerly offered to interrupt her own evening to pick up my daughter, while my husband and I were running the youth group service. She alleviated any concerns that I might have had about inconveniencing her. My daughter had a wonderful time and enjoyed herself much more than if she'd been home on this non-school day, while I was at work and Mark was busy delivering our other two children to a bus trip they are on this weekend. Then, my dear friend Vicki, offered to bring my daughter back home or meet us in town - whatever would work best for us. She is just the greatest! She is so easy going and wonderfully generous with her time and love. My daughter loves spending time with the Martin family because of all the love that she receives in their home.

One of my other wonderful friends is BetteAnne. She moved to my road just a little over a year ago and I have enjoyed the pleasure of getting to know this worshipper. Last weekend I had a surprise birthday party for my husband and BetteAnne graciously allowed me to use her home to host the party. Her home is a little bigger than mine, with a fabulous kitchen, and made doing the party a surprise much easier. She must have been so tired by the end of the evening - but would never have admitted it. She looked after everything. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes so that I could be part of all of the party festivities. She is a gifted hostess and extremely generous with her earthly belongings. Thank you my friend!! Everything you did for Mark's party was certainly not unnoticed.

I appreciate my dear friends very much. They are my treasured gifts from God. The greatest acts of friendship are when we feel completely undeserving. And the best way to overcome that feeling is to reciprocate the gift of friendship towards someone else.

Love your friends and thank God for the special gift that they are.

Rhonda
The only way to have a friend is to be one.
Ralph Waldo Emerson