We flew back to the West Coast to celebrate Scott’s mom’s birthday and to visit church friends. Our flight schedule made it so that we visited friends first. We had a choice of staying at a friend’s place while they were traveling out of state or with friends we both have known since our university days.
Scott decided on staying with our ole friends. When he told me his decision, I felt emotional because of the many memories we have of visiting them in the past and that it might be our last time to see them again.
Back in February, Scott felt led to prepare a message for this church but he didn’t know when he would give the message. He ended up giving the message on this trip. Even though it was the summer and many families were on vacation, I thought there were a lot of people. I was so glad to see familiar faces, more friends from when we were attending the church.
It seems the message was appropriate and well received. There were a couple of new people who came up to him afterwards to ask questions and advice. I would share the link but the person who normally streams the service and puts it on YouTube was on vacation.
Back in the day Scott and I were very active in the church, so his concern for the church to keep on mission was evident in his message. I was amazed to see how much the children who were in the Sunday school classes have grown and to hear that some are now graduated and working and even getting married or are married.
Even though we moved away, the love and friendship formed in the church haven’t changed. It felt good to be back and I could see peace wash over Scott as he talked among brothers and sisters in Christ.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the brothers and sisters You placed in Your church for us to grow with. Keep this body of Christ safe and growing. Help us to know how to serve and appreciate when we are served by the family of believers.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a season for everything, a time for every activity
Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of how to spur one another to love and good deeds
Romans 14:5 One regards one day better than other days, and another regards them all alike. Each must be convinced in his own mind
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times
Proverbs 27:9 The sweetness of a friend’s advice make the heart rejoice
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend
Proverbs 18:24 There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother
Song
“Friends” by Michael W. Smith is a song we sang during our university days especially when friends had to move away.
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then think of someone you’ve been very close to and haven’t seen in person for a while. Arrange to get together again and let us know how it went.