John 15:15 – I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. (NRSV)

I can handle myself pretty well on social media, and I'm not taken by surprise very often. I do have 700 "friends", and there has been a time or two when that word "friend" has been pushed to the limit (really, who are you?) It was a bit surprising, then, to get a short message that ended with BFF — best friends forever — especially when I simply could not immediately put a face to the name. Yes, there was some recognition, but BFF? It finally dawned on me who had sent the message, and just maybe, in the context of the message, BFF could fit. Years and years of neglect had nearly wiped the memory away!

Now, I received another note the other day, and it, too, was signed BFF. I had no trouble whatsoever in identifying both the message and the messenger. The message gave me much comfort: "I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father." The messenger gave even more. You see, I have cultivated this friendship from my earliest days, and time and again, we get together to hash over the good and bad of life. He held me when my mother died, He celebrated with me on my wedding day, and He has talked me through more trials and tribulations than I can remember. And not once over the years was He ever too busy to take my call.

I have no hesitation in calling Him my BFF and I'd be glad to introduce you to Him, but that introduction comes with a warning: You can't make this friendship work at arm's length, and you'll not find Him on your Facebook page. Sorry, this BFF is daily and it is for life. What I can tell you is that it is the kind of relationship that will never disappoint you as you put your whole self into it. So, how about picking up a Bible, finding your personal message for today, and spending a little time with the messenger, talking over the really important things in life? Pray with me:

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for showing me the importance of friends and friendship in my life. Help me to cherish each and every relationship that enhances my life and offers me the opportunity to be the very best friend that I can be! Amen.

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About the author:

Kenn Stright <kennethstright@yahoo.ca>
West Petpeswick, Nova Scotia, Canada
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