Finding Hope in Friendship

For You, O Lord, are my hope, my trust O Lord, from my youth.  Psalm 71:5 (English Std)

I have just returned home from attending the wedding of my youngest grandson. It was such a wonderful experience. The first time I saw the wedding party, my impression was that it was a rather large group, 8 bridesmaids and 8 groomsmen.

The bridesmaids were beautiful and vivacious young women, and the groomsmen were handsome and confident young men. What stood out the most to me about the groomsmen was that they had varying shades of hair and skin color. They were very different from each other, but their group friendship seemed to be as strong as their friendship with the groom. What I wondered was the “glue” that held them together.

The rehearsal dinner was such fun as several members of the wedding party got up to “roast” the bride and groom. The bridesmaids started the fun. Each speaker told how they met the bride and how long they had been friends. Then they followed with some mildly embarrassing funny stories.

Then the young men began to speak. Their speeches were similar in format to the bridesmaids, each telling where and how they met the groom and approximately how old they were when they became friends. The start of their friendships ranged from early childhood through college. They, too, told some funny embarrassing stories. However, one young man finished his speech saying that what he admired the most about the groom was watching him through the years actively pursuing each new friend then slowly leading that new friend to the Lord.  

There was my answer! The friendship they have with one another is held together in the love of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you and we love you. Most of all we thank you for these wonderful young people who give us hope. Their love and loyalty for each other is only surpassed by their love for Your Son, Jesus. It’s in His name we pray.  Amen.  

Judy Welch