June 8, 2022
Today, June 8, is celebrated as National Best Friends Day in the United States. On this day, you can express your love for your biggest support system, your best friend. When you hear the words “best friend” who comes to your mind? Is it an old classmate, a family member, a colleague, or a neighbor?
His name was Tyler. It was my first day of kindergarten although it was already a month into the school year. I was in a new school in a new country without any friends. Before the teacher asked all of us to line up for recess, she asked for a volunteer to be my friend at recess. Tyler’s hand shot up and he stood next to me in line and introduced me to our other classmates. Over the rest of the week, Tyler took it upon himself to be my friend during all the recesses, lunch breaks, and classes. Over the years I’ve lost touch with him, but he remains my favorite best friend because he just wanted to be my friend.
After I began working in Bangalore, I picked up another group of friends who continue to be my core support after fourteen years. When I moved away from Bangalore, we thought that would be the last that we would see each other, but even across the distance, we keep in touch; celebrating each other’s successes and sharing in each other’s struggles. A few months ago, when I was sick with a high fever, and all the other things that goes with that, this group of friends took turns staying on a group call with me for over sixteen hours. Sometimes they talked to me, sometimes they talked to each other, but they wanted me to know that they were there with me even if I couldn’t see them or touch them.
So, as you celebrate National Best Friends Day let your best friend(s) know how much they mean to you. Pick up the phone, call them, send a text, or send them an email.
In John 15:15,16 Jesus says “I no longer call you servants…Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you.” The best of our earthly friendship are mere reflections of the friendship that Jesus offers us. He has also promised that He will be with us ‘even to the ends of the earth.’ Take advantage of that friendship. He loves you and me without limits and has shared that love to us making it possible for us to live our lives in love and friendship.
Gerald Christo
Pastor, Young Adults
“For I am convinced that…’nothing’…can separate from the love of God.” Romans 8:38, 39