Dear Best Friend,
Wow! What an incredible journey we have been on together. Every morning I wake up and feel so loved and cherished all thanks to you. It’s the days that I need to know how valued I am that you speak to me through your word. This race has been a lot of things but through it all you have been constant. Every tough moment, every dirty child on the street, every throbbing mosquito bite, every eager college student I’ve talked to, you care about it all. No one in my life cares about every single facet of my life the way you do. No one else stays with me and listens and encourages me as I pour out my heart. Every single day you show me how invested you are in our relationship and that you will never leave me or forsake me. Even when I am being a total brat, which I know happens far too often, you quickly remind me that you have given me everything that I have and I am constantly called to a deeper level of gratitude.
I am grateful for so much and this journey has taught me that I can never tell you often enough of how grateful I truly am. When I was back home it became easy to get caught up in a consumer mentality constantly wanting more and working for that dollar. However, seeing the other side of the world has definitely shifted my mindset. Even the poorest homeless person in America is still wealthy compared to some of the people I’ve met in Africa. It blows my mind how regardless of their financial stability they still seemed joyful but in a simplistic form. They weren’t worried about their five year plan, paying off their student loans, their next vacation, what kind of dog food to buy, which shirt color makes their eyes pop, or the new iPhone coming out. They were content just simply having any type of food like substance to put in their mouth. I remember walking by children that couldn’t even speak yet and as soon as our eyes met they had their hand out begging me for food or money. This is a trait they learn from the very beginning of their life. The poverty is so thick in certain parts of this world it seems crazy! It literally breaks my heart to know that so many people are simply living moment for moment not knowing what their future holds. When I think about that I wonder, maybe there is something to that though. Although, it seems unjust that some live so lavishly while others so poorly. When you take away all the material, what does everyone have in common? We are all human and planning can only get you so far because in an instant it could all be gone. Your friend Matthew told me some really great advice, he said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” I know that sometimes that’s easier said than done but so many people around the world live that way without even realizing it. I know that when I witnessed that level of poverty first hand and saw their simple pursuit of this day and this moment it sparked something inside of me. It made me want to ask you why our American culture gets so caught up in planning? I think that if everyone knew you the way I do they might be a little less concerned with their futures and status. I think maybe they would trust more and help more. I think that if everyone were willing to share their blessings than we would all be a little better off.
Even though most of them were smiling it still seemed as if they were lacking and wanting something more. Sometimes when we were walking in the city, I could hear you tell me to talk to that person, or give that child my apple, or to simply walk up to someone and tell them about you. You asked me to share the joy that you’ve blessed me with. It is selfish to know the kind of friendship you provide and not want others to have that. So I did that all throughout Africa. I shared our story. I told people how you have never left me or forsaken me even when I told you I was done. Even when I was living for myself and ignoring you. You have been the best friend I could ever ask for. People have loved hearing stories about what a rock you’ve been in my life and I loved sharing freely and giving you all the glory because you truly are like none other. You are my beginning and my end. I have given my life to please you and more specifically I have taken a year to spend all my time learning about you and telling people about you. Our relationship gets stronger every day and the more time we spend together the louder your voice becomes and that gets me so excited!
I have to admit though. It has been quite the transition coming to Asia from Africa. People here have so many friends and they don’t seem to understand that they only truly need one best friend. I want to tell them all about you and what an incredible friendship you provide but I don’t have that freedom here. I don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to have you as their best friend but since I can not encourage everyone to meet you, it becomes more interesting. I have to be very intentional and listen carefully as you talk to me and tell me the people you want to meet. I have to spend time with them first and develop a friendship and relationship with them before I introduce them to you. It is a lot more personal than telling everyone I meet about you, which is awesome but definitely more of a process. When I think about it though it’s super cool because it gives me so many more opportunities to grow my fruit of patience that we planted so many years ago and it allows me to practice that trust you keep telling me to press into and build up. I know the months to come will present different challenges than in Africa but with you holding my hand and being by my side all the time there is no doubt that I can do all things through your strength in me. Everyday when I wake up, you’re there and you help me put on that rockin’ outfit that never goes out of style: the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet decked out in peace; the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit. Thanks best friend for everything you do, everything you say, and for never leaving me. I love you so much and I’m so grateful for this journey we are o together.
