Friends are friends forever if the Lord is the lord of them. Shout out to Michael W. Smith. Friends. They are in the trenches with you. The ones who come and vacuum the rugs and shampoo your girly’s hair when lice have hit the house (Shara & Sheila). The ones you’ve done life with. “Poop” friends. Mmm hmm. The ones you can ask to pray about poop; too much or not enough. I can count at least 5 friends I’ve asked to pray about my kids’ poop. They carry you thru endless deployments; laughing, crying, (sometimes cursing) and raising kids together. Then they move. Or you do. There is an imaginary placeholder in your heart for them, because they held your husband’s spot while he was gone. Knowing full well it won’t be the same again. I often imagine a reunion scenario where all of our schedules magically align and one by one we all see each other again, until there is an eruption of laughter and tears. Heaven on earth, or maybe just heaven. Start to think of all those faces you miss so dearly. Heaven will be just one big reunion.
I have had the blessing of making some of the most beautiful friends here on this island. They have held my family and I together the last 6 months. Not to mention all of you praying and sending rainbows. I want to encourage you today to work on your friendships. Seek someone out and I don’t mean on Facebook. Some of my greatest friendships have come from Mom’s bible studies, and our small groups in every place we’ve lived. Find people to connect with. It takes some work, and vulnerability. But when your version of cancer comes, you’ll want an army. Not one built on social media, and emojis but one of prayer warriors, willing to do anything you need or ask. One of the greatest privileges I have had this year is seeing what it looks like when God’s people move. It is nothing short of a miracle. The other day my friend’s name popped in my head, for no good reason. I’ve decided that when you think of someone for no good reason, it’s for a good reason. So I texted her and told her I was praying for her. So will you do something for me? Pick up that phone, and call someone. Get together. Invest in people, they might just need a rainbow.
1 Comment
Diane
8/1/2017 10:34:17 am
Well...I just retired and am in that transition phase of figuring out how to best use my time. One thing I did right away was re-connect with some dear life-long friends- In Person. These people are so precious and have great wisdom & insights into many of the challenges our family has faced this year. Nikki, thanks for sharing this post and to all my friends out there ( you know who you are), I'll be calling you soon. Blessings, Diane
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