Friendship

Differences make good friends. Similar interests make good friends. Going through hardship makes good friends. Laughing makes good friends. 

Serving one another and thinking of their needs before your own, bands you together. We have friends named John and Pat. They don't know how uniquely gifted they are. Pat shares her life, horses, enthusiasm for line dancing, and Jesus with her friends. And all these things are no big deal to her. Her high standards expect that everyone will do the same in return. Sometimes, she is disappointed with others because she doesn't expect selfishness or meanness. That gets her riled. And so it should.

As a new transplant in Tennessee, we started attending a large church. One of the first things we looked for was a small mid-week Bible study. We found Pat and John's group on our church website and arranged to meet them after service. I described myself as tall, with red glasses and white hair. 

The first thing Pat said to me as she looked at my hair was, "You don't have white hair."

"But I have red glasses." Pat is plain-spoken, I speak with more grace. We learn from each other.

I love horses. Pat and John have four great horses that they freely share with people. After riding Doc around in their enclosure, Pat and John don't realize what a soul-satisfying gift they gave me. They assume that others are unselfish with their possessions.

We had a tough first year of retirement adjustment with many changes and a significant housing disappointment. John and Pat prayed for us and supported us. This year has been a tough year for physical challenges for them. Their uncomplaining nature and faith in God's plan for their lives are an example to many people. 

Laughing and creating fun together is their superpower. It's a powerful adhesive that bonds our friendship. 

They aren't perfect, but they are dearly loved by their heavenly Father and me. And the best thing is, they aren't aware of how unusual their friendship is. They just live life and make others' lives better by knowing them. That's true friendship.