One Friend...

"I am thankful for her too.  Without her I wouldn't know Jesus!"

This is what I posted on a friend's Facebook page today.  For some reason it jarred me.  It even brought tears to my eyes.

One person.  That was all it took to lead me to where I am now.

One person to invite me over after school.  To ask me to stay for dinner with her family.  To invite me to church.  To invite me to camp. To celebrate with me when I accepted Christ.

I remember her dad praying at dinner and thanking God that I was there with them.
I remember her mom singing in the kitchen practicing songs for church.
I remember when her brothers or sister would do something, get disciplined, and then get a hug and an I love you, just like on Full House.
I remember sometimes I couldn't stay at her house very long because it was family night.

One person becoming my friend and now I have the hope of eternal life.  She introduced me to the One who would lead me through the hardest days of my life, the most joyful days, and the days where I simply had to choose to keep moving forward.

She moved right before middle school.  It was the first time I remember experiencing a loss that shattered my tiny world.  For a while we sent each other letters in the form of tapes as we recorded our voices and sent them back and forth.  We talked on the phone over the years.  We visited each other at times. Life changed.  We both moved forward.

Friendship was never easy for me.  Maybe that's why it was so hard when she left.  But she left me with the most important and significant gift I've ever received.  She introduced me to the One who would always stay with me.  Who would never move and would always welcome me home.

I'm married now to a man who loves Jesus and longs to follow wherever He leads.  I stay at home with my little girl and sing songs that might turn her heart toward God.  I pray that she would be a child who loves others and leads them to Jesus.  That we might be a family that sets a desire for closeness with Christ in the hearts of others.

Whenever I think back on my journey as a believer it begins with her.  I can't imagine walking through this life apart from my Lord and Savior, and I will be forever grateful.  And I hope that one day I might be that person for someone else.

May peace, blessing, and joy find their way to you today friend...