A Time for Friendship

“…And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this.” Mordecai’s words to Hadassah were to encourage her that God had a sovereign plan for her position as Queen. Esther, as we know her, had a purpose for being in a respectful position both in the eyes of her people and her husband, the King. This story found in the Bible is a powerful reminder of God’s presence in our lives and I highly recommend reading it, but the story itself is not my focus today.  I would like to ponder the friendships I have had through the years and the people that God put into my life for “for such a time as this.”

The first friendship the Lord brought into my life was though a beautiful woman I still call Sister. We are not biologically related, but we are both only children who found family in one another. We certainly have acted like siblings throughout the years of both fighting and forgiving. God brought me the sister that I needed: a playmate in childhood and a confidant as an adult. I thank Him endlessly for the years I have had with her and pray for many more years to come.

I think about the relationships with people throughout my elementary school years and only a few really stick out to me as significant. At first thought it was easy to dismiss these friendships in the sense that we just played together. It could be American Girl Dolls, dress-up, Sherlock Long and Dr. Stephen, or any other assortment of games we believed we were so clever to have made up.  However, taking a closer look into these friendships, I realize that God gave me people that were just a silly and nerdy as I was as a child. We shared similar interests, and yes, that includes boys too.  I was blessed to have a group of friends that were kind and helped me grow out of the elementary awkwardness straight into that truly awkward junior high chapter of my life.

Just like any other girl in junior high, it was all about trying to fit in (even though most of us don’t know who we really are at the age of thirteen). It took me some time to find this group of friends as I was an unknown walking into a group of the semi-popular kids. I found myself in this group due to the gal across the street. We walked to school together, so when I asked to sit at her table at lunch, I became the invisible semi-popular girl. Popularity is not something I ever tried to attain, so it was strange that the friends God had given me were in this crowd. Yet, there was a lesson to be learned: I knew that I didn't want the fake lifestyle of the “rich and famous.” (I’m telling you, at the school I attended, the popular kids were wealthy and celebrated, which equals rich and famous.) God presented two sincere friends, and through the comparison I realized that it wasn't worth the show.

I decided it was time for a change, and so I threw my world upside-down and did not continue on to public school with the rest of my friends from junior high. I made the decision to attend Heritage Christian Academy, which was the best decision I could have made. As a small class, I found a home among people that I didn't feel like I had to prove myself to. I could be awkward, silly, and they accepted me for me! God gave me a place to belong, and I thank God that I had the high school experience that I did. (I also thank Him every day because it was in high school that I met and started dating my husband – and he became my best friend.) In addition to the encouraging environment I experienced at school, I also had some relationships with some ladies that I grew up with and knew from church. I considered these to be my closest friends, and loved every minute I spent with them. So not only did I have a place to belong, but God also gave me close friends that I could call on at anytime. I still thank Him for these awesome women, no matter what happens or where we go.

 I just graduated college and I honestly can say there are few relationships that formed during these four years. As a commuter, I didn't have much opportunity to create lasting friendships that most people form in college. I have a handful of friendships that were shaped, but abandoned. So what was the purpose of these relationships if they were so quickly made and discarded? I am still trying to figure that one out.

So now I’m at the next stage of friendships – the people I am privileged to have in my life today. Some of my friendships have lasted throughout the years, and for those I am truly grateful. But I have also made some new friends now that I have married. Obviously my most important connection is with my husband, and I am so joyful to be married to such a wonderful friend. We have created friendships with people who I truly believe were brought together “for such a time as this.” I have experienced both fun and growth with them and look forward to spending time together every week. I am blessed to have a group of friends that points me to Jesus, who I consider my “bestest” friend.

What is the point of my friendship life story? That God gives us the right people at the right time. He teaches and grows us through the people He sends into our lives. Oh what a Great God I serve, that he provides all I need!