John 11:4-7
When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No,
it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” Now
Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that
Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said
to his disciples, “Let us go back to Judea.”
A friend’s a friend forever... 
Reunion class of 1979
Krista, Debbie, and I drove in the wind and rain to Grayson, Kentucky, to join friends we’d known for forty-plus years. The alumni reunion was taking place over the weekend, and we looked forward to spending time with our forever friends.
Our crew of teenage girls met in 1975, while some of us knew each other
before we arrived on the campus of Kentucky Christian College. That year in the girls' dorm, God bound us together. Over the course of time, we went our separate ways.
I kept in touch with a couple of the girls through letters and brief visits,
but it wasn’t the same, until several of us gathered at Helen’s house (she and
Terry stayed in Grayson) several years ago. Through Facebook, we’d found each
other again, and when we gathered, it was like we’d never been apart.
Like this year, we sang songs, shared prayer needs, hugged,
and loved on each other. My soul needed the restoration of these dear friends.
In John 11, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus needed Jesus. Lazarus was
sick to the point he died, but Jesus, in His wisdom and knowledge, knew Lazarus
would live. Without the dear friendship with Jesus, Lazarus would have stayed
in the tomb. When Jesus arrived, Mary questioned why he took so long. This is
the time Jesus wept. The bond between Jesus, Mary, and Martha brought the
sister’s comfort, and the love Jesus had for Lazarus raised him from the dead.
Our friendships on earth won’t bring people back to life,
but they can restore a hurting heart or a weary soul. Fellowship with my
friends, who believe Jesus is Christ and God is our Father, fills my soul with
joy. I pray you have friends like mine, but more than anything, I pray you are
friends with Jesus.
Seek Jesus and fellowship with believers. Jesus listens and loves.
Penny, your post is so beautiful and so true that God has given us girls a friendship that has lasted close to a lifetime. We are all so blessed to have each other, even though some of us have grown apart. I cherish the times that you guys welcome me into the conversation and into your lives. My heart gets a bit sad when I realize all of the treasured moments that I have missed by not getting together with you girls.
ReplyDeleteLove, hugs and prayers..:KK
Love you, friend!
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