‘Christ, who said to the disciples “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends “You have not chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The Friendship is not a reward for out discrimination and good taste in finding one another out. It is the instrument by which God reveals to each the beauties of all the others.’ -C. S. Lewis
Friendship is beautiful. My friends are often part of my daily thanksgiving to the Lord. I cherish each person in my life, and can easily identify their value. Tonight He laid it on my heart to pay tribute to one of my dearest friends, Carly. We bonded back in 6th grade when we were the last, and second to last softball players on the bench. We were far too concerned with our pink helmets and Vera Bradley bags than the game. In high school we were the student body, and senior class presidents at the same time, with our monogramed cars. Funny how not much has changed.
We used to fantasize about our futures, which included planning out every detail of our weddings, husbands and jogging strollers. We believed in God, but didn’t really know Him until our college years when distance separated us. He wrecked both of our plans, but ultimately united us, while we tried to understand His.
She has grown into an incredibly fearless woman of the Lord. I admire her ability to constantly seek positivity in life. I can’t recall the last time I heard her speak unkindly of another person, showing her pure and genuine heart.
We love self-help books. We kept a book club between the two of us over the last few years. The last book she sent me was called, I’ve Been Thinking…, by Maria Shriver. In this collection of stories, Shriver speaks about several revelations she made over the years, one of which was of her Faith Keepers. A friend that falls into this category is one who will be strong when the other is weak. They bring Christ into the obstacle that the other is facing, and ultimately help them keep the faith when they cannot.
So Carly, you are my faith keeper. I’m exceptionally thankful for the past, and looking forward to the future. xo
