My High School BFF’s – top: Missy; Left of slide: Heidi, Lisa and myself; Right of slide: Pam and Rita. Missing: Monica.

Aug. 20, 2013

Luke 6:12-13

At that time Jesus went off to a mountain to pray, and he spent the night praying to God. The next morning, Jesus called his followers to him and chose twelve of them, whom he named apostles:

Recently, I spent an evening with six of my high school friends. Since several of us have lost a parent recently, I decided it was time for us to get together while not at a funeral home. Unfortunately, one wasn’t able to join us.

These girls are my oldest friends. We learned to drive together, played sports together, showed cattle together and went to prom together. Quite honestly, we have not always kept in close touch. The good news is that time has stood still and we picked up right where we might have left off at an earlier time. We had a wonderful time together.

I am fortunate. I have friends from lots of aspects of my life: high school, college, work, church, neighbors, mutual friends, etc. As I have matured, I have discovered the great advantage of having friends older than you, younger than yourself and from similar and different backgrounds. This allows a wide variety of people to draw upon in various situations.

Friends were important to Jesus. This is why he selected 12 guys to be his new best friends. All 12 did not know each other before they were thrown together into being his inner circle. There were two sets of brothers and they knew each other because they fished together. But the tax collector was not high on a list of someone they should befriend. I’m thinking Judas Iscariot really stood out … and Jesus intentionally did this. Each guy brought something a little different to the group. They help us see that it is not best for a group of friends to be just exactly alike; much like my circle of friends.

What Jesus does model for us is that we are not to journey through life alone. Family is extremely important and sometimes they become great friends. But different perspectives is often helpful.

I am thankful my friends were able to get together to laugh, giggle and share. We had serious moments and we had gut-laughing moments. I apologize to the woman who was trying to read a book while we were at the next table carrying on. Then again, I think she enjoyed seeing us have fun. Maybe it made her think of her long-time friends as well.

Lord God – thank you for the many special people that you have brought into my life. Too often, I fail to thank you for their special unique qualities that I have benefitted from. As Jesus intentionally chose an inner circle, I pray that we make sure and have those special relationships and people in our lives. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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