You've Got a Friend in Me

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.

 

God's Friend

Isaiah 41:8-9
“But you, Israel, my servant,
Jacob, whom I have chosen,
you descendants of Abraham my friend,
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.

James 2:23
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.

"We'll be friends forever, won't we, Pooh?" asked Piglet. "Even longer," Pooh
answered. 

I’ve had a few book signings recently. At each one, I’ve met new people, and visited with returning readers and fellow writers. When I went back to my hometown, to the building where my library career started, I had the joy and honor of being in the presence of three of my dear high school friends.

They may cringe when I say this, I might too, but next year marks our fiftieth anniversary for our high school graduation. Time goes too fast.

Even though I moved away from Lynchburg, I’m blessed to have communication with so many I graduated with. Bev, Colleen, Garnet and I reminisced, shared updates on our families, travels, and books we’ve been reading, and simply enjoyed seeing each other.

There’s a song I remember from childhood, “Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver and the other gold.” We may have sung it in girl scouts. I’m not sure, but it still rings true. Those friends from our youth are precious indeed.

One friend I discovered in my youth was Jesus. He’s a friend who sticks closer than a brother. In Isaiah and James, we read of God calling Abraham his friend. How incredible to be known as a friend of the Lord God, who created the world.

Even when I have failed in my friendship with Jesus, he stuck with me. He loved me and called me closer to him. I’m beyond grateful for Jesus’ love and kindness and the sacrifice he gave, so I might be called God’s friend.

Take good care of your friends and seek Jesus, who loves you more than anything.