We have been best friends since we were sixteen. (That’s a lot of years). We joke about how we live parallel lives – but that may just be because every time we speak we say, “yes! That’s exactly how I’m feeling too!” and we laugh and suddenly the world feels different, because we thought we were the only one, and there is such comfort in someone understanding you, really getting you.
We went to Paris as teenagers, splashed in a fountain even though we weren’t sure if we were supposed to, because it was too darn hot, and we weren’t going to get drunk and go clubbing in Paris because although that sounded exciting it also sounded dangerous and a little too much effort (we went back to our grubby little room instead and read books); but we were teenagers, dammit! and we would splash in a fountain, even if we weren’t allowed to. We browsed French second-hand books in the Latin quarter and talked philosophy by the Sacré Coeur, and tasted proper cheese fondue in a tiny little bistro in a back street.
It is a privilege to have a friend who has known you like that, for such a long time. I am thankful. I miss her. She lives too far away and is threatening to go farther. And who can I talk to about that?
There is one, I am reminded, and I stop to ponder the great privilege that he calls us friends, not just children, not just servants; that he confides in us about what He is doing and invites us to confide in Him.
“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15 NIV)
Joining with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five-minute-Friday. This was my best five minutes on ‘friend’.
Over to you:
- Do you have a best friend?
- What does it mean to you that Jesus calls us friends?
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ohhh what a wonderful journey together. it makes my heart sad to hear she might be further off than usual…i know how hard it is to have heart friends so far off and yet to have them at all…such a blessing.
oh how my heart resonates with your journey in Paris…although I went to France, I bypassed Paris (yes, I know…HOW is that possible?!) I hope to return one day and remedy that, but I had my own glorious moment and made some great friends in my time there.
it boggles my mind that we are considered friends by our Lord…oh how the cleansing blood of Christ covers SOOO much (everything) to make this possible. thank you friend for the reminder.
Nous aimons la France! Paris is wonderful – I do hope you go there someday. Thanks for stopping by!
How cute! I’ve splashed in a fountain or two with friends myself. 😉 Thanks for sharing
Fountain-splashing is FUN! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I have known my best friend for 25 years. We have walked with each other through the traumas of life and the joys of life. She has blessed me with the honor of marrying her and her fiancé. I thought the day I was ordained was the greatest day of my life but this wedding in October will measure right up there with my Ordination. I am so thankful that God brought us into each others lives. I do not know who I would be today had she not been in my life. She has truly been inspirational in my call to ministry. This may sounds heretical, but she is the closet thing to God I have here on earth.
Friends are SO precious. 25 years – that’s amazing! And how cool that you can do the service! My husband did the marriage of a couple of our friends, and it was such a special time, all the more special for knowing them so well and being able to personalise the service. That’s one of the (many) great privileges of being ordained. I hope that wedding is a really blessed time for you all.
Hi Tanya,
I have a number of friends that I have made through cycling or music. They are people that I have met at work, and with whom I have developed friendships through our mutual interests. I may not see or hear from them for years, and then our paths cross, and, rather like a pause button being released, we carry on where we left off.
I think that my best friend is someone I underwent a work based, basic drawing course with in 1973. We have a mutual interest in all things musical and enjoy gruelling physical challenges. (As you will be aware Tanya, this latter pursuit has been impossible of late).
Like the other friends mentioned above, we have lost contact, sometimes for years; but here is the difference.
This friend had progressed to a senior management position, and took voluntary severance a few years ago. Before he left work, he contacted me and told me that I was one of the people he did not want to lose touch with. This happened around the time that I had been diagnosed with C.F.S in addition to the depression that I have suffered with for most of my life.
Through the difficult and challenging last three years, this friend has always been there. He drives to Plymouth from his home in Cornwall, and we talk music. One day he brought his guitar, practice amp and recording software to my house and we recorded a couple of soul standards. THIS WAS JUST WHAT I NEEDED, AND HE KNEW IT.
The fact that Jesus is my friend, takes friendship to a whole new level.
It is impossible for Him to let me down. Any of us would carry an injured or exhausted friend until overcome with exhaustion ourselves. Jesus is never exhausted. In my walk with Jesus over the past few years, there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. I know that if He has to carry me for the rest of my life, He will do so.
In addition to this, what other friend would remain faithful to someone who continually lets Him down by sinning. True repentance is enough, no matter how often I fall short.
This is such a lovely comment, and almost a blog post in its own right!
Your friend sounds a good’un. I love that he came round and recorded stuff with you. And the image of the inexhaustible God is a precious one – thank you.
Lovely!
And amen, what a beautiful verse with beautiful truth… 🙂
God bless,
Lois
That verse really stood out for me today – I’m glad it blessed you too!
A beautiful depiction of friendship. How blessed both of you are to know one another over such length of time and be able to reflect on your shared history – truly special. Tanya, you have a gift of making all who ‘know’ you feel like a friend. I am blessed to count myself amongst your ‘virtual’ friends and to share the greatest Friend of all. Love in Him 🙂 xx
‘The gift of making all who know you feel like a friend’ – that is such a wonderful thing to be spoken over me! Thank you, sweet Joy!
I love those old friendships. All those years add up to a whole lot of love and understanding, don’t they? I really enjoyed your post. 🙂
Thanks, Jenn – I enjoyed yours, too!
I have been very privileged to have some lovely friends who have supported me through many difficulties, but with whom I also enjoy fun and laughter. The day I discovered Jesus is my friend, changed my life forever, and I am truly never alone. 🙂
To never be truly alone – yes! – this is one of those blessings about being a Christian that we so often take for granted, and yet I think it’s amazing.