Hey friends, how are you today? Really, how are you? It’s a beautiful day in my neighborhood today.  The sun is out, the skies are blue, and the cicadas buzz that summer is here to stay.  Its already a balmy 84° with 90° knocking on the door.  And I like it. Life always looks better when viewed through the lens of summer.  I love this time of the year.  

How are you, really? Spiritually, how are you? Physically and emotionally, how are you feeling? Today, life threw me a curveball.   Although today’s news did not directly affect me, it left me feeling introspective.  

By now, you’ve probably heard Dr. John MacArthur died on Monday, July 14^th, at 86 years old.  His Bible Commentary is one of my favorite Bible tools.  I have also enjoyed listening to his radio ministry, Grace To You. He left behind a wonderful legacy of Christianity.

Even more shocking to me was the news that a childhood friend died on the very same day.  She was just a few years older than me.   I don’t know why this particular news affected me so much.  I had to remind myself that “to be absent from the body is to present with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8)”. The news was quite unsettling, because she was so close to my age, and she was a friend.  And at one time, a close friend.

Although we grew up together, we did not keep in touch throughout the years.  The first thing that came to mind, when I remembered her is ‘time. Somehow, I always thought we had more time.  Time… do you ever wonder at how much of it, we waste in our lifetime? How much of it is spent pursuing everything but people? God loves people.  He sent His Son to die for people.  Only people, not our tasks, not our jobs, not nature.  Just very ordinary people. 

Sometimes, I think about time in light of Jesus’ parable of ‘The Talents’, according to Matthew 25:14-30.  The caretaker of the one talent chose to bury it, rather than invest it.  Sometimes, I think I do the same with time.  I bury it, rather than invest it.  

I waste time when I live life in ‘wait mode’.  ‘Wait mode’ is waiting for the Lord to bring change while I sit and do absolutely nothing.  Because I wait for answers from the Lord, I just exist.   I’m waiting… But don’t you see? I live work unattended while I wait.  There is no investment.  

I spend quite a bit of time on chores and work (church work too) and family. The chores and work have become habitual throughout the years.  And my family loves me; time spent with them is never a hardship.  

I recently met someone I had not seen for quite a few years.  And guess what happened during that time? He grew! I know right… I was shocked too.  He is now 28 years old.  Unbelievable! What happened to time? Where was I? What was I doing? Didn’t I also age? (I wanted to say grow, but I think I’m already grown.  Except spiritually of course).  Did I just lose 15 years of my life? Did I invest time in the life of anyone, but my family? 

Yes, yes, I did.  That’s the truth.  But most of the people I’ve spent time with throughout the years have been people from my church.  And remember I said, it’s not hard to love people who love me.  They want to spend time with me; therefore, I want to spend time with them.  Huh! Sounds familiar… I’m sure somewhere the Lord has said something about that.  

I had to process what I remembered about my friend.  And her death also brought about my own personal introspection. Sometimes, I place too much effort on the things that will not benefit in the long run.  Some days I have to remind myself that people matter.  I know… I know… But some days, I admit I’m all peopled out.  Do you think God ever tires of people? I wonder what I would do if He ever got tired of me? 

The investment in the lives of others matter.  That’s the other thing that came to mind as I remembered my friend.  She was not always an easy person to know.  She didn’t always allow others the opportunity to spend time with her.  Inevitably, most people walked away, including me.  That makes me sad at the missed possibilities, had I tried harder. 

I am not necessarily an extrovert by nature, but gradually the Lord has pushed me out of my comfort zone.  We miss out on some beautiful friendships. These friendships can bring maturity and growth. This happens when we push beyond what is seen.   Never aggressively, but rather gently and humbly.  

Relationships are hard.  Spending time with some people can be difficult.   I don’t like to fight hard to invest in the lives of others.  I like easy.   But there are people that demand the most from me.  In light of the cross, if not people then shall I give the most to things or animals? People should always matter more, don’t you think? 

The death of this friend has brought sadness to my soul today.  Because I know I did not really try to pursue our friendship.  I tried, she resisted, I tried, she resisted and then I gave up.  That’s it, Lord, I’m done.  

My self-righteousness made it difficult to hear His voice.  It made it hard to listen to His Words.  Ahh… But God… how He fights for me.  He pursues me again and again and again.   He forgives me again and again and again.  He sends people and sunshine and life to remind me of His presence again and again and again.  He will never, ever leave me.  He loves me again and again and again.  He never gives up on me.  Never, ever, ever will He ever give up.   

Ah…Lord God forgive me.  For the times I have been impatient with people, forgive me.  I placed everything before the text or call. I didn’t send the email that could have reminded them of Your mercy and grace.  Forgive me.  For the times when I failed to remember them in prayer.  Father, forgive me.  

It’s good to know that the same God who pursues me, pursued her, in spite of my absence.  It’s freeing to remember that the same God who loves me, loved her unconditionally, unfailingly, in spite of me.  It’s good to know that God can accomplish His work without me.  But what joy I missed because I failed to pursue that friendship. 

Are you a good friend? What do you say are the attributes of a good friend? Do you have a lot of friends?