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I recently spent three weeks visiting my daughter in South Carolina. It was such a blessing and a vacation that I will remember for a lifetime. It was hard for me to release my daughter last August when her father and I left her behind as we traveled back to Ohio to the house that we could not sell. However, after visiting my daughter I am so glad that she at least got a chance to make the big move to the South where she is thriving. She is even making her residency in South Carolina more permanent than ever, as she is building a brand new house this summer.

On the 2nd day of my vacation, I met a very dear lady who was in the midst of a huge trial. I went into the community house to get a snack when this beautiful “Southern Belle” came up to me with tears in her eyes as she explained to me that she had to leave her huge house behind in Georgia, and move into an apartment near my daughter, due to an impending divorce. I hugged this lady and offered my hand of friendship to her. She was exactly the same age as me (old), and we instantly bonded and agreed to stay friends even though we are separated by 700 miles. We had many Bible Studies together and we sought God together and called out to the Lord for peace for my new friend. She is now thinking that she will move to Toledo one day to work with me.

A little later in my vacation, I met up with an old friend of mine that I grew up with in Toledo. She had moved to the Carolina’s over 27 years ago, and that was the last time I saw her. It was so much fun laughing and talking with her about the good ole’ days. It also gave me the chance to share with Karen how my life had changed after embracing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. She was very open to hearing my testimony. I left her with a book that explains the salvation plan and departed with a huge hug. Boy was that nice seeing her again!

But now I am home, far from both of these friends, but I am very happy. Because you see, I am back with my “best friend” who happens to be my husband. This was the first time we had ever been apart since we were married over 30 years ago. Needless to say, I was missing him something terrible.

New friends, old friends, and best friends. All very special, all very different. The longer I go through life, the more I realize that friendships are a very special gift from God. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows – James 1:17.

I use to pray daily for a best friend, when it finally dawned on me. Regardless of who I am hanging out with, or who I am not hanging out with, I will always have a best friend. You see, many years ago when I was at my wits end and no one, not even my husband, could comfort me, I met this friend. No I can’t sit and have lunch with Him, or laugh with Him over the silly things that I do in life, but that does not make my friend any less real. My friend is Jesus.

I don’t know if you were ever introduced to my friend, but I know He desires to be your friend more than you can ever imagine. He did something long time ago making this friendship possible. He took your place on a cross, so that whoever calls on His name becomes His instant friend.

You know friends come and friends go. And even though some new friends have come into my life, I am forced during these days to say good-bye to some other friends. I guess that’s life. But the one friend who I know that will never leave me is my friend who is in a higher place called heaven. He’s preparing a place for me so that one day we can laugh and hang out together forever.

Do you know my friend? If not, reservations for a vacation of a lifetime are always being accepted. And unlike the vacations here on earth that must end; this will be a vacation that will last for an eternity. Please call and reserve your place now. The Phone number is 77J-ESUS, and you will never get a busy signal. Won’t you call today?

A friend loves at all times.

Proverbs 17:17

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The First Sin