FRIEND OF GOD

If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong or clashing cymbal   1 Corinthians 13:1

We met in August of 1968 in the office of Holland Elementary School.

I was starting my first teaching position and she was starting her position as the school reading specialist. It was a Friday afternoon and our conversation was centered on our weekend plans.

I was both surprised and delighted to learn that we had something in common-we both loved Ocean City, New Jersey! Her family had a summer home at this shore resort and my grandparents also vacationed at their summer home in Ocean City. Our families were lifelong Methodists and her parents surprisingly knew my grandparents as faithful attendees of the Ocean City Tabernacle for many years. 

Our chance meeting, on what became a cherished Friday afternoon, grew into a treasured lifelong friendship. Joan left indelible footprints on my heart and on the hearts of many others. She was a true friend, someone who often offered loving help, someone who always put others first, someone who quietly did things in the name of our Lord. She was a friend of God.

I will be thinking of Joan frequently during this Lenten season, and I hope that everyone reading this has a Joan in their life.  The lyrics to the following song express it all.

Friend of God

   Who am I that you are mindful of me

That you hear me when I call

Is it true that you are thinking of me

How you love me, it’s amazing

 I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

I am a friend of God

He calls me friend

Heavenly Father, may my life reveal, reflect and resemble my friendship with you. Amen.

                                                                                                                          Barbara Schneider