How precious and tender was their visit and I steal away in my reverie to that day to enjoy the memories. Friends across the miles, friends that once were a moment away now a thousand miles of prairie and pavement, a thousand miles of hopes and dreams longing to be shared. Years ago we shared our daily lives; now we share a visit every few years.
Today, much like that day, the sun is climbing higher in the sky while it warms; the sounds of life are beginning….just as in that day when we stole a few last moments together on my front porch before their necessary departure. Just a moment more to love, a moment more to recall, a moment more to etch in the mind’s eye before another goodbye.
Friendship does that to you. It teaches you about love, fills you with memories and helps keep your balance in life. Investing in the lives of those God has placed in your path and allowing that love to grow is a gift beyond measure. Having a friend to walk beside, sharing in the joys and sorrows of life adds the color and vibrancy God intended for your life.
For while you are depositing into a life, the love of another adds treasures to yours as well, the very jewels that add beauty to your life unlike any other. As an orchestra is beautiful because of its many instruments, your friendships are beautiful because of the ways you add to one another’s lives.
When these friends and I are together it is as if a part of me is reunited to myself. They hold part of my history in their history, and when we fellowship a piece of the puzzle of our lives comes together.
The miles that separate us on a daily basis are painful like the yearning of the heart for a loved one. This friendship is not bought with money but time.
Some days as we shared our lives it was like a stroll in the park, other times it was like a hike up the peaks of Mount Everest. But the love of my faithful friends walked across the even paths and the rocky terrain.
Give yourself away into the hands of someone who will love you forever; make a friend.
Following the command God gave, we are to love one another as He loved us. Daily we are becoming known as God’s people, His disciples, because of this love. A great love to be shared, the greatest love known.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
About Jan Nellis
Jan Nellis is a happily married mom of five children, three of whom are still at home. She spends her free time rediscovering the lost domestic arts with an emphasis on health issues. An avid quilter, crocheter, hand-spinner and cook, her desire is to rekindle the ways of her grandmothers, blessing her friends and family. She has spoken at women’s groups on forgiveness, following God's plan for your life and the joys of living with God. She currently blogs at www.atinylittleripple.blogspot.com.
