My BFFs

Have you thought about the friends you’ve had in your life over the years?  There are friends you played with as a young child. The best friend you would tell all your hopes and dreams to when you were growing up. The friends you hung out with in college. The friends on the various sports teams you played on in school. The friends at church and at civic clubs you belong to.  We all have friends!  Some people have oodles and oodles of friends. 

When I think, however, about those friends who have actually been there “doing life” with me over the years, those friends who have stood by me in the good, the bad and the tough times of life, my list goes down to a much smaller number. Who in your life is a faithful friend to you?  Can you think of one or two?  Perhaps this person has been in your life for a long time or maybe this person is a friend that God placed in your life to walk beside you for a season. 

I know I’m blessed to have a core group of friends who have been part of my life for many years, as well as some fairly “new” friends who, although we have only been friends for a short time, have come into my life in very unexpected ways.  I’m forever amazed at how God brings people into my life.  I’m even more amazed by the way that He surrounds me with faithful friends who not only accept me for who I am, but also love me anyway! 

This week we looked at the story of Ruth.  I’m always surprised with this story of friendship.  Ruth and Naomi do not seem to be the ones destined for a life-long friendship.  They worshipped different Gods, they came from different peoples, and they were separated in age by a generation.  Yet, this unlikely pair became friends--BFFs if you will.  Ruth’s dedication to Naomi is a testament to the power of faithful friendship--friends who support you no matter what the situation, no matter the time or the place, and no matter if it interrupts their lives. 

One of my favorite songs of all time is Michael W. Smith’s song, “Friends.”  Remember, that faithful friends are gifts from God.  We need to treasure them and thank God for them every day.

In His Grip!

Pastor Carol