One of My FavoriteThings

We had our first fire Saturday evening when the temperatures were headed down. I've been enjoying that fire for about 30 years now and always look forward to the warmth of it's flames.

 

Friends. Are you one? Do you have a friend? William James (1842-1910) said: "Wherever you are, it is your friends who make your world."

We all have family, and a few of us have enjoyed families as God's gift, but many of us don't have good memories or relationships in our families. That's why friend's are so important to me. They fill the gap where my blood relations end.

"The happiest miser on earth is the man who saves up every friend he can make." Robert Emmet Sherwood (1896-1955)

Some of you might remember this snap taken on my 55th birthday when I had a "Celebration of Friends" party to honor the friends in my life. What a picture of lovely women! My story today is about Rachel, set apart by the heart around her face.

Monday morning I had the joy of visiting with my friend, Rachel. If you know me, you know I love my friends. They're one of the best gifts God has given me through all ages of my life. That party was on a beautiful day and honored my beautiful friends! One from elementary school through all the years up to that birthday.

I met Rachel in a Sunday School class and we've been friends ever since. She writes notes too, and I love to find one of her notes in the mail. Older by 10 years, Rachel is a mature Christian who I love to talk with. Rachel and I had a wonderful time talking and sharing about life. I floated home, filled with love and joy.

I still try and meet each friend at least two times a year, although I'm getting a little slower as the years go by.  Each friend brings a different flavor of joy into my life.

Have you ever celebrated your friends? Have you let them know how precious they are to you? As we've all heard, you must be a friend to get a friend.

When you have a friend, just the thought of her/him can impress your mind with goodness and comfort.

I mentioned the song "Friends" last week written by Michael W. Smith and Deborah D. Smith. I agree completely with the chorus:  "And friends are friends forever, If the Lord's the Lord of them And a friend will not say never 'Cause the welcome will not end."

So I encourage you to celebrate your friends. It will be a time you'll never forget! Thank you, God, for my friends.

And most wonderful of all is said very well by Oswald Chambers (1874-1917), the author of My Utmost for His Highest, who said: "The dearest friend on earth is a mere shadow compared with Jesus Christ." And that's the truth!

This lovely scene is one of my favorites! It was a beautiful, sunny day, and I just happened along to find it. That delightful serendipity experience!