I’m leaving on a jet plane (tomorrow) but, I do know when I’ll be back again. I’m flying to Salt Lake City where I will meet my friend Patty who is flying in from Montana. Then we’ll rent a car and head south to Cedar City to celebrate with our friend Vaunda on her birthday. It’s been a while since the three of us have been together. I anticipate lots of laughter, music, talking about our love for the LORD, and just relaxing in the presence of people who love each other.
At our ages, (I’m the oldest at almost 73, Patty is the spring chicken, and Vaunda is the middle child) we treasure these moments knowing that none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Each of us has experienced health issues. Yet each of us is still going strong, still loving the LORD.
It is wonderful to see how God orchestrated our friendship. Vaunda was born in Oregon, Patty in Washington, and my birth state is Pennsylvania. God brought us together at a church in California. We come from different family backgrounds, but God put us together in the family of God. Vaunda and I around 1978 and Patty a few years later.
I am so thankful to God for friendships that endure the tests of life and time. I am so thankful that God is concerned about such things. David declared God’s concern in Ps 68 for the fatherless, the widows, the prisoners, but he also declared God’s concern for the lonely. “God sets the lonely in families.” [v6]
God knew I needed friends, friends that would become family, sisters in the LORD. He blessed me and put me in a family, His family. He has continued to bless me with more friends down through the decades. I am surrounded by people to love and who love me in return. Isn’t God good!
