My "Love Necklace"

Have you ever received a “Love Necklace”? I did today and I want to share my thoughts. Birthdays come and go each year, but this one seems beyond ordinary, not taken for granted, not just another day, but one that my best friend wanted, with all the love and caring she could manage, to be a birthday I would remember. You see we have been life-long friends, since she was 7 and me, 8. That in itself is a treasure that few ever experience. This year our times together have taken on a deeper meaning than ever before, because she is battling cancer.

We both grew up as only children. Had we had sisters and brothers, I’m sure our love for one another would not have grown the way it has through too many years to count. We didn’t have siblings in the growing up years, only each other. So you see, we’ve always considered ourselves as sisters. God blessed us both early on with a deep love and care for one another so that as we grew, we would know what sisterly love was like. We didn’t have to have natural sisters explain their relationship with one another, we knew and understood from the beginning.

We met for lunch today at a local restaurant where she greeted me with her contagious smile and cheerful spirit! All the while, she is right in the middle of her third round of chemo treatments. There she was today looking terrific, smiling, head held high, holding a present for me along with probably the most beautiful card I have ever read pinned in her own hand writing with sentiments reflecting her heart and her love for me. Yes, it made me cry as I read; so many thoughts rushed through my head. I was well aware of the important moments we were about to share. Inside the little bag she carried was my “love necklace” that she had made with her own two hands (absolutely gorgeous). I know the pain and suffering she endures on a daily basis and to think that she had done this for me made my heart smile as my eyes once again filled with tears. Now I tell you, that is true sisterly love.

I have never been close to anyone that has ever been this sick, but at the same time I can’t help but rejoice each time we are together because I see such a change in her. The change I see is a heart change. We talk of our Lord and Savior openly and freely. She is encouraged and understands that it is her Faith in our Lord Jesus that gives her the strength to fight; and by Him and Him alone, she takes her next breath. We are both praising God for what He is doing in her life and the testimony He has given her to share with others. We don’t know what lies ahead and if her life will be spared a little longer. That is certainly something none of us will ever know; but what we do know, is that we will be sisters in the Lord forever and we will sing those songs as we did as children in the backseats of our parents cars. We will sing songs together praising God as He gently holds us in His loving arms forever and forever. Until then, I will wear my “love necklace” and may it serve as a reminder to me to tell the story of how God changes lives, starting with my best friend.

Grateful

Good Morning! What an absolutely beautiful February day it is here in S. Texas. A crystal-clear blue sky above, a crisp 45 degrees as I step outdoors I can only turn my eyes upward and give praises to the One who delights in giving such blessings in a day like today. Even though my night was filled with too many unwanted aches and pains, tossing and turning just trying to find comfort in my bed, it’s mornings like this that God’s grace and care allows me to breathe in deeply as my spirit becomes refreshed and renewed and in only moments those aches and pains I was so aware of in the dark of night start to melt away. Today becomes a huge reminder of how grateful and blessed I am to know my Savior and know without a doubt where such blessings come.

“Abba Father, Daddy, Creator of the Universe, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Mighty Savior, Prince of Peace how excellent is Your Name above all others. Today I praise You, and You alone for Your hand is upon me, steering me, teaching me, keeping me in Your care. Let me feel Your presence through this day and each day through the rest of my life. Make me forever mindful of others around me and let me be Your light. Let me shine for You, Father. In Your Son’s precious name I pray. Amen”