Gratituesday: The Path of Friendship
The Beatles’ song, All You Need is Love, was on the radio. Connor listened intently for a moment and then stated emphatically, “Incorrect! That song is incorrect! You don’t just need love! You need food, and water, and shelter, and maybe some friends, but not just love.” When I heard this, I laughed, praised him for remembering his science lesson, and then stopped to think: Could I survive without my friends?
Ruth and Naomi, David and Jonathan, Eli and Samuel… three friendships blessed by the Lord, six individuals blessed by friendship.
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work;
If one falls down, his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Do you ever stop to remember how you came to meet your dearest friends? Are you ever totally amazed at how simple meetings turn into lasting friendships? Are you surprised when a long-lost friend crosses your path years and miles from your first meeting? I am, over and over again.
I can look back over the years and see the Lord’s hand in so many of my initial meetings with ladies who have since become trusted friends, some for a season, others for life, but all entering my life at a time or in a way in which the hand of the Lord was clearly evident:
- the college roommate who has proven time and time again that some friendships are worth going out on a limb and fighting for;
- the new neighbor who knocked on my door to introduce herself and volunteer to help with the neighborhood social committee, now long-defunct, became a walking partner, confidant, and treasured friend;
- the co-worker who decided to take a year’s sabbatical with her first baby the same time I was on sabbatical with Ryan, leading to weekly “playdates” that helped us both blunder our way through that first year of motherhood;
- the homeschooling Mom I met one afternoon at the park and dared to ask for her phone number – totally out of character for me – who, even though she now lives on the opposite coast, continues to be a source of encouragement and ideas;
- the friend of a friend whose path kept crossing my own, until it became apparent we were to be more than friends of friends;
- the homeschooling Mom whose kids just happened to have swim lessons after my boys, leading to chats on curriculum, talk of this and that, and a kindred friendship;
- the second-grade-friend found on Facebook after 25 years, who surprisingly lives in the next town over enabling us to have playdates with our kids that are just as much fun as our playdates so many years ago.
Coincidences? Not a one. A friend supports you in good times, and encourages you in bad. A friend rejoices with you when you’re right, and gently admonishes you when you’re not. A friend is trustworthy and kind. A good friend is a gift from above, and for my friends, I am truly grateful, today and every day.
This post is linked to Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers.