'Friends are Friends Forever If the Lord's the Lord of them'

I had the nicest weekend that I have had in a long time. Friends I have known for almost 14 years came and spent some time with Vernon and me on the mountain. It was so relaxing with them, I guess because no drama came with them.

Reid and Rita Smith: We met on our empty lot we had purchase to build our home in Fort Mill SC. Vernon and I were taking pictures and Reid was walking his dog. He stopped and asked if we would like for him to take a picture of the two of us on the lot. He told us where his house was in the development and invited us over where we met his wife Rita. And as they say “the rest is history.” We hit it off immediately. We have been there for each other through good and bad times in our lives. For our children’s weddings through grandchildren birthdays, you name it, we have been there.

Rita never ceases to amaze me. She is so talented in so many ways. I don’t know if she knows this but I have learned so much from her. When my grandson Malachi was a baby, Reid would come over to the house just to hold him. Today I watched as Reid and Malachi sat on the couch in the “man cave” and had some man talk. Reid has a tender heart and would do just about anything for you.

We got to show them around the farm. They got to enjoy vegan cooking. We just had fun catching up!

Friends are so important in one’s life. Reid and Rita are more to us than just friends, they are family.

Friendship is often highlighted by Facebook, videos and best friend forever promises, but God places people in our lives as purposeful extensions of His love. In this life, we are promised to experience a multitude of heart wrenching moments. The community of people we befriend in life help us to traverse through them.

Once we realize what a friend we have in Jesus, and who we are in His eyes, we can better understand what the Bible says about our friendships between each other here on earth. We are all imperfect, so expecting perfect friendship between two imperfect people is unrealistic. When we prayerfully consider those that God has placed in our paths, we will find our community of friends.

I can’t wait for Reid and Rita to come back to visit. I was a little sad seeing them go, but knowing I would see them again made my heart happy. I thanked God for the time He gave us.

Treasure your friends and praise the Father, in heaven for friendship. The wisdom we need to foster trustworthy and loyal friendships is found in the daily pursuit of God’s Word, and compassionate calling on our lives.