35 Years Later and Still Good Friends
We had waited for over a year and we were so excited that this special reunion was now here. The first weekend in August my wife Deb and I got together with eight other couples, some of whom we had not seen in many years. It had been 35 years since we had all started seminary together at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth TX, and I must say all the couples looked a lot older than I remembered them. I was glad I had not changed that much. I¹ve only gained about 60 pounds and where I once had a head full of light brown hair I now have disappearing gray strands, but I¹m sure I don¹t look as old as those other folks. This weekend was a powerful weekend for a number of reasons, one of which was to remind me how I love and appreciate life long friends more than ever. What is funny is how back then we did not know who would be the life long friend and who would fade away. It takes time and planning to maintain relationships through the years, but those investments reap rich rewards. With the Internet and free calling on cell phones there is no excuse not to connect with some friend you have not spoken to in a while. I suggest making a list of folks who really meant something to you in the past and give them a short call and just thank them for what they have meant to you. I believe you will find that a rich experience. There are two friendships, however, that are even better than that. Not only did we all go to the same seminary, but we all also went to the same church. Paul Burleson was our pastor in seminary and we had the privilege of having Paul and his wife, Mary, join us for the reunion. The format of the weekend was to discuss, ³What I wish I had known 35 years ago about God, marriage, and ministry.² The weekend and insights were so rich we even discussed writing a book about it. While I can¹t speak for others in the weeks that follow I may share in this column some of my thoughts about these three areas of life. Part of what was so rich about our reunion was that many of the couples have been down similar paths and learned many of the same truths. The Proverbs tell us ³many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?² I can tell you several of these couples are reliable life long friends. I know I could get on the phone today and tell them a crisis has hit and I need them here and they would be on their way to Burlington. Friends like that are truly worth more than gold. What is even more amazing is that my wife Deb is my best friend and has been by my side for 38 years. There is nothing like being married to your best friend and I hope you get to experience that joy. And the most amazing friendship of all is that God is willing to call us his friends. While human friendships are wonderful I know I will blow it sometime and disappoint my friends. Christ, however, is always faithful and will never leave me. He will never say one thing and do another. I hope today you reconnect with some life long friend, but more than that you deepen and revel your friendship with Christ.
