I sometimes envy women (whether real or in the novels I read or movies I see) who have had the same best friend(s) since high school or junior high or even elementary school. My closest friends from my school days moved away early in our lives (our late teens and early twenties), and time and circumstances eventually caused broken connections. The lack of email or texts or social media didn’t help matters.
While I may not be able to boast friendships that go back to grade school, I do have long-time friendships that were arranged by God. Many are other writers, which is nice because we speak the same language.
Recently, I was asked via a third party to read a Bible study for possible endorsement. It was great, and I sent off my endorsement to the author, someone I’d never met. We ended up having an email exchange, each learning about the other. When I read she didn’t have a green thumb, I shared that I once “killed” an air fern. (Not easy to do since air ferns are already dead.) Anyway, in no time at all, I knew God had given me a new friend.
Just think of it. The key relationships the children of God will have in heaven are first with our Father and with Jesus, and then with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. All of the godly friendships we make here on earth will continue in eternity.
Eternity … that’s a whole lot longer than the fifty or sixty years I might have had with childhood friends. As Michael W. Smith sings, “And friends are friends forever if the Lord’s the Lord of them.”
I’m blessed with so many eternal friends. I hope you are too.
Care to share a story about your best friend? Maybe how you met and/or how long ago it was.
~robin
My family moved every three to five years when I was growing up and I regretted never developing those life-long friends. I wanted to give my daughter that opportunity and also to be close to her grandparents. As a result, I made a conscious decision to stay put no matter what jobs tried to lure me away and I’m glad I did. In her 30’s now, she still has several close friends she met in sixth grade who have been wonderful support to each other through the milestones in their lives so far. She also formed close bonds with my parents. It was good for both of us.
I have two close friends from where I worked. One I’ve known since 1986. She has been mentor and lifesaver. The other I’ve known for 25 years. She is one of my strongest supporters for this writing journey I am pursuing.