2/14/16
I have a lot of people I would call my best friend. I have never believed in only having one best friend. How? There’s so many differently personalities I don’t know how you could choose just one. I’m also an all or nothing kind of person. Half hearted friendships drive me crazy, so most of my friends I would consider to be the best.
My bible study group (a.k.a. Sassy Sundays/Sassy Sisters) has been studying the life of David. Last week we learned about David and Jonathan’s uncommon, unconditional, and covenant friendship. An uncommon friendship is one where they can speak their minds without fear, share their hearts without shame, and stay close even at a distance. Perfect for the week of Valentines day right? Well, I would like to highlight a couple of my uncommon friendships.
Gwyneth: I put your real name because that’s what most people call you, but you know that’s everything but what I call you seeing as I have a thousand different nicknames for you. Where do I even start with this? Our moms destined our friendship before we were even born. While not always being close, we still had a friendship not like any other. 17 years is a long time to have to deal with someone haha. You were the one that got me to start coming to church. You constantly asked me to come and persistently pushed me to stay if I started falling away. If it wasn’t for you I probably would have never found Jesus. You have always been the one to set big dreams and goals for yourself and truly go for them. Even at a young age you’ve had the desire to help people, your family, and show Jesus along the way. While on the outside your walk with the Lord might seem easy, but I know it is anything but. You have stood up for your values and beliefs when at times you were the only one doing so, and that takes so much strength and courage that I wish you would see more. I love our friendship and how we can sit for hours ranting and raving or in deep discussion about life, while at the same time we can hangout for hours not doing a single thing and still have fun. What an inspiration you have been to me.
Annie: Ohh Annie. You are so lovable. Except that you’re an extremely picky eater, but we just won’t mention that. I have never met someone quite like you, and I think that’s why I love our friendship so much. You can walk into a room and feel so uncomfortable yet make friends with everyone there. You can sing, like can really really sing. Thank you for using that talent to lead us in worship. It’s always such a treat to hear you. I love your heart for reaching the next generation and always wanting to help out in some way. You were so excited to help me fundraise and I don’t know why, but it gave me a new hope that I was losing, so thank you so much for that. I think you are also an all or nothing kind of person when it comes to friendships too. You have very strong friendships and I think that’s because you are a very strong friend. You display the kind of love we talked about last night. You rejoice and hurt with your friends, and I can’t even begin to explain how lucky we are to have you.
Rebekah: Blessed, Well Dressed, And Boy Band Obsessed. I can’t think of anything else to describe you better. We just click so well. I don’t know if it’s our love for Nicaragua, travel, Jesus, Portland, or Cheez-its and sour patch kids, but our friendship is just very natural. It’s so easy to talk to you, and you always have the best advice to give. You have such a delicate balance between sass, gentleness, encouragement, discipline, and speech. You love so well. I admire the way you show your love to your friends and the effort you put into them. Your friendships are ones you hold highly, and everyone can tell the love you have for people. Your random humor is probably one of my favorite things about you. I can always count on you to send me random pictures of something that will literally have me laughing out loud. You are a part of some of my favorite memories: MFuge, prom, Nicaragua, Jesus dying for us and not for our skirts, salty bus ride bible studies, Mockingjay Part 2, so many random snapchats, and the list could go on and on. Love the friend I have in you. Let’s rock this Economics class.
Taylor: “We have to be friends forever now. You know that right?” I hope you truly meant that when you said it, because you’re stuck with me now. Never would I ever have guessed from my first day of school, and what an awkward first impression we had, that we would be such good friends now. We have a whole lot in common, but I don’t think that’s where we connect. I can’t exactly put my finger on it, but there’s something special that makes our friendship so great. Your redemption story is one for the books, and something the Lord shines so brightly through. Your humor is such a great quality you have. You can turn anyones day around by making them laugh. I’m convinced that you started “mom”. You have the skills to make a huge impact on anyone you come in contact with. You have a unique ability to relate to anyone that you’re talking to. Friendships come so easily to you, as you’re such a lovable person. You were my favorite person to talk to when I came back from Nicaragua. The way you enjoyed all of my stories and friendships made it feel like you were actually there with me. Thank you for being someone that I can come to and laugh until it hurts, have deep conversation, feel free to share without judgment, and enjoy life with. Plus, shoutout to us for having a 10 day snap streak.
Marissa: Since you didn’t stay so I could get a picture with everyone, I’m not putting you in here. Just kidding, I love you so much. Hmmm, where to even begin. Marissa you are so strong spirited and beautiful. You are strong and firm in your faith and values, yet gentle and kind in the way you show them. I know when I come to you that I will be getting advice that is backed up by scripture. I think you have the whole Bible memorized, probably from getting up so early every day. Unlike a lot of Christians tho, you are not scared to show your weaknesses. Your struggles are not something you take lightly and you always tackle them head on. Such an amazing quality you have at such a young age. Being your friend has honestly made me a better person. The way you love people has inspired me to pursue the same kind of love for others. Thank you for displaying Amazing Grace to everyone. Especially me when you’re trying to teach me a new card game and not getting annoyed at how many times I want to play Ticket To Ride. But you’re not all sweetness. We can’t forget about your dry sense of humor and sass. It’s one of my favorite qualities about you, because I feel like a special gem since most people would not expect you to be as funny as you actually are. I love the way our friendship has grown, revealing more qualities about you I did not seen when I first met you.
Jesus: The third thread that keeps these friendships together (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Ohh how much I love and value You. Even with that though, I know you love me a thousand times more. Without You I know these friendships would be impossible. You display the ultimate sacrifice of love (John 15:13). Thank You for the gift of being able to call You my friend (John 15:15). I love the person I’ve found You to be over these years. I use to picture You as mean and ruling, but I know who You are. You are kind, gentle, funny, stern, lovable, and so so so much more. You are the reason I am here today. You are the reason I can be all those things too. Without You I am nothing, but with you I have everything. I love Your heart for people, and how You have shaped all of these ladies hearts for people. The way You see the world is beyond what I can imagine, but I know You are slowly revealing it to me. I can’t wait to find out more about You as life goes on. This friendship isn’t just a life long one; it’s eternal. I love you Lord, thank You for loving me.
To my covenant friendships: I know we read this last night, but I want you to know that this is truly what it means to be your friend, and I hope that you feel the same way about me.
I commit to consider your needs above my own. I commit to look out for your best interest as well as encourage you when you are feeling down. I will be there for you whenever possible, and I will pray for you regularly. I will share my thoughts and my dreams with you. I will never forsake or intentionally do anything to damage our friendship. You have my promise that I will be the best friend I can be.
P.S. Thank you to anyone who has helped grow and nourish these friendships. It means the world to us.
With Love, ~Theresa Ann
