Last year my parents and I had the pleasure of touring through Israel with Pastor Jeremiah from Turning Point Ministries and Shadow Mountain Community Church. Along with Pastor Jeremiah was Charles Billingsly (one of the best worship pastors I know) and Michael W. Smith, who needs no introduction.
Many moons ago on a planet far, far away, Michael W. Smith wrote a song....yup, that one...that we sang at the end of every church Summer and Winter camp and every time someone moved away.
Friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome will not end. Though it's hard to let you go, in the Fathers hands we know that a lifetime's not too long, to live as friends.
I sat on the shores of the sea of Galilee and MWS (as his friends like to call him) sang this incredible song. My sweet Xandy (13 yrs old) was sitting next to me singing away. 30 years later, the kids still know this song. Why? It's such a simple song. They remember it not because of the catchy melody and cool key changes, they remember it for the message.
Friends are friends forever if the Lords the Lord of them: Pray for your friends! Be the hands and feet of Jesus! I believe my life-long friends are forever because of the daily prayers that are offered between us. We've been through thick and thin, good times and bad, sickness and health, sorrow and joy but our Heavenly Father has been with us, through it all.
A friend will not say never because the welcome will not end: true friends don't say next week, next weekend, next month. A forever friend says sure, come on over or sure I'll accept those collect call charges from Los Colinas prison (jk, kinda). I know you've worked another 14-16 hr day and all you want to do is climb into a warm bath....but remember walking in their shoes and how badly you wanted someone to welcome you in and tell you everything is going to be all right. Don't let your welcome end.
Though it's hard to let you go in the Fathers hands we know that a lifetimes not too long to live as friends: I've lost some amazing friends on this journey called life. Some to illness, some to senseless acts of violence, some to war and some to silly/pettiness. The friends that have passed from this life to heavens glory I'll see again soon! As hard as it is to let go...I've learned to let them go into the Fathers hands and that I'll see them again on the other side of heaven. And oh what a day that will be! But for the ones I've lost that are still on earth, I'm reminded...a lifetimes not too long. A lifetimes not too long folks! Why are you worrying over a misspoken word, an opinion that might could have been kept to ones self? A missed lunch date one too many times, or a geographical move that put time and distance between you two.
Friends- a lifetimes not too long to live as friends! In fact, a lifetime is too short a time.
So mend that broken friendship, forgive that silly mistake and start enjoying your lifetime again.
The last two trips home I've been able to spend a good amount of time with the friends closest to me! Moments in time I wouldn't trade. Some of those friends I hadn't seen in over 10 years but the Lords the lord of us and the welcome has never ended, nor will it ever. These are the friends who know me inside and out, backwards and forwards, upside down and right side up-yet love me unconditionally!
Is there someone today you need to reach out to and mend the relationship with? Is the someone that wronged you but you realize a lifetimes too short so you're going to let bygones be bygones? Do it today! We're not promised tomorrow! Live with no regrets!
MSW-who knew when you wrote that song in 1987 that 30 years later a) you'd still be singing it b) the kids would still be singing it c) it would still be inpmpacting lives?
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