Five favorites of friendship—then and now

Do you have friends you’ve known since childhood?

God blessed me at our little country church with Kathy and Julie at two years old, and Alicia the summer before we all entered 6th grade.

In 1982, against the advice (but not the express forbidding) of my dad, we four girls drove to the beach—a daring venture for us four church mice.

And after 29 years, we returned.

Some things about friendships never change.

Old memories blend into fresh ones...then and now...1982 and 2011.
My 4 Corners friendship.

1. Together, problems are more manageable. 
In 1982 it was a leaky raft, unruly hair, broken light bulbs.
In 2011 it was a flatter-than-flat tire, timing problems, cold weather.No matter. Together, friends handle those things and much more.
Much more.

2. Table-time is essential.
You know what I’m talking about. Eating together is always involved in friendships, right?

In 1982 we enjoyed fresh shrimp at Capt. Anderson’s.In 2011 we shared fried green tomatoes and a Krispy Kreme unChristmas bread pudding (yes, it was delicious!) at Lulu’s. Friends definitely must eat together!

3. You do things together—but talking matters the most. 
In 1982 we played miniature golf and walked the Strip and stayed up almost until dawn. And talked and talked and talked.In 2011 we sat and looked out at the ocean. A lot. And played Yahtzee. And talked and talked and talked.Does it matter what you’re doing with friends, as long as you’re talking your way through it?

4. You know your friendship is special.  
In 1982 we were thankful to have each other as friends and sisters.In 2011 we still are. It’s more than luck that we ended up together again at the beach; it’s a blessing from God.Friends don’t take friends for granted.

5. Friends in Christ are truly friends forever. 
In 1982 the ultimate foundation of our friendship was our individual relationships to Christ.In 2011 Christ still comes first in us. We’re sisters even deeper than we are friends.And Christ’s blood in us will keep us friends throughout eternity.

* * *

(I was expressly forbidden and happily agreed to NOT post pictures of this year’s beach attire. :-) I guess some things do change.)

Which aspect of friendship do you relate most to?

1. Together, problems are more manageable.
2. Table-time is essential.
3. You do things together—but talking matters the most.
4. You know your friendship is special.
5. Friends in Christ are truly friends forever.