I want

As I write this, a group of very dear friends and family are planning a celebration for my 80th birthday.

God has blessed me with a lot of dear friends, of all ages. I cherish each of them, and each is a very special blessing in my life. We naturally grow closer with people the longer we are acquainted with them. In getting to know them better, we discover all the beautiful qualities that decorate their hearts and souls like brilliant, sparkling jewels ... or the stars that sparkle across Wyoming’s lovely night sky. I pray I’m worthy of the goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness and love they each bestow upon me whenever we are privileged to spend time together; even as I thank God for giving each of them to me.

You’re probably aware by now that I’m not a strong believer in “happenstance,” although I don’t deny such occasional blessings. I prefer to think of these dear friends as “God given” into my life. I believe He directs my paths and sends other people He’s directing down paths that will intersect mine, at His chosen time. 

Right now, I believe God has granted my wish to write today by giving me this ideal subject upon which to pontificate! Yep, He did. You understand, just as I do, that when we love and serve Him to the best of our ability, He gives us the desires of our hearts. God, I thank You for giving each of my friends to me.

I further believe God assigned me to write this today. It causes me to think more deeply about my responsibility within each of these beautiful friendships ... and to consider what my reciprocal duties are in each case!

I need to consider the individual uniqueness of each special quality each friend brings into my life. What lends their brilliance and radiance, kindness and caring?

More importantly, do I return the same to them in equal measure? How much time do I spend considering what I might do to please them or to bring some radiance or sparkle into their day or moment? Am I there to help each of them when they need me? Does that come automatically to me ... or should I possibly be asking God to guide and direct and enable me to be the quality of friend they are to me? When and how do I bring sparkle or inspiration or blessing into each of their lives? Why don’t I spend more time thinking about those things?

Thank you, God – for giving me the desire to write today … for leading me into each of these important thoughts … and most of all for so plainly revealing each of the many areas where I lag so far behind my wonderful friends! 

That leaves only one more thing for me to do: Try every day, with all my might, to be more like each of my wonderful friends!

Editor’s note: Rhonda’s birthday celebration was held Oct. 18.