“Old” Friends…the best medicine

This past weekend was spent cooking, cleaning, washing dishes, decorating, giving directions, driving (a lot), buying groceries, making lists, 97,382 steps, running errands, finding people, cutting cakes, making punch, Sonic runs, steaming dresses, pinning boutonnieres, wiping up spills, asking favors, and a myriad of other tasks.  It was also spent visiting, laughing, catching up, hugging (sorry – no social distancing for me), staying up late with feet in the pool just talking, eating meals in the midst of great conversation, and generally enjoying old, special friends.

If you haven’t guessed by now, it was a wedding weekend.  Kelly and I catered the rehearsal dinner and I had the privilege of being asked to coordinate the wedding itself.  We have done this a couple of times and each time seems to go flawlessly and good times are had by all.  Yes, we make lists…we prepare…we have a plan.  But the reason it works is because we have Godly, selfless, hardworking, kind friends.

While looking around at all that was accomplished for this specific wedding, I made this comment, “The main reason we’re so comfortable offering to do these dinners is because we’ve got really great friends who help make it all happen.”

 Isn’t that what Christian friendship is all about?  Being there for one another.  Helping one another.  Serving one another.

These friendships were forged through life experiences.  We raised our children together.  Bible Bowl, camp, mission trips, devos, overnight sleepovers, bad choices, good choices, an emergency room visit (or two), sporting events and many meals together bonded our families.  We were the village.  These friendships are not shallow.  We have cried, prayed, adopted babies, vacationed, gotten promotions and lost jobs together. Knees have been bandaged, tears wiped away, snacks shared, squabbles squashed, disagreements dealt with.  We have watched our children be baptized, grow in the Lord, leave for college, move away, come back home, marry and have their own children.

These friendships have not always been perfection.  Disappointments have been a part of our growth together.  Expectations and needs have not always been met.  But..we have never turned our backs on one another.  We have been there through the good and the bad, the easy and the hard, the shallow and the deep.

It is easy to become discouraged in today’s climate.  The noise is deafening.  But that noise does not have to drown out the happiness that still surrounds us.  Happiness that is found in old friendships…working together for a common goal…sharing common memories.  Happiness that is shared in the uniting of two precious souls ready to face this world hand in hand…bound together by a God who loves us most.

So…dear sweet newlyweds…a little post wedding advice…(and to each of us)

• find your village
• never take them for granted
• spend time together through the easy and the hard
• pray together, laugh together, worship together
• help and serve one other
• love unconditionally

Godly friendships truly are the best medicine for what life “will” throw at you. You will need friends to counsel you, celebrate with you, support you through good times and bad.  You will at times need brutal honesty, or perhaps just a listening ear.  You will need someone to confide in, trust in, and to push you.  These friends will be truly present when you need them…they will understand when to help and when to back away.  Godly friends will make it their goal to help you reach heaven…as you should for them.  Nurture friends that forgive and love you unconditionally. Honor every friendship that will help you grow and mature into a couple God will use for His glory.

Time flies by more quickly than you realize.  Enjoy your life together…because “tomorrow” you’ll be at a wedding with “old friends”.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of then falls down, one can help the other up. 

But pity anyone who falls down and has no one to help them up.” 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Listen to His Voice,

Lee Ann