The Imprint of God

In the last month or two, I have been spending quite a bit of time thinking about the people that God places in our lives. The coworkers, fellow students, family members, or perhaps simply acquaintances. I have noticed how God has interwoven many different people to make life interesting. In examining those people whom I have become close too in my life, I feel truly blessed by God for his gift of friendship.

"Every single act of love bears the Imprint of God." 

Without friendships in our lives, there wouldn't be the support system that many of us have grown accustomed to and taken for granted. Whether it be a lifelong best friend that always gives you a hug when it's most needed or a parent taking a moment to listen, these relationships help to make us who we are as people.

"Some blessings - like rainbows after rain or a friend's listening year - are extraordinary gifts waiting to be discovered in an ordinary day." 

Two weeks ago, I returned home from a three-week choir tour around Minnesota with thirty other
individuals. Despite the fact that we are only together for twenty days, this unique choir has the amazing ability to build friendships that are stronger than any others I have ever known. We support each other not only vocally and spiritually as we come together to sing praises to God, but also in every other aspect. There is always someone there to listen, to speak, to laugh, to cry. This was my third year participating in the choir and it was by far the best. Now, all of the singers have parted ways, gone back to their families and friends, but there still remains an incredible bond of friendship and love between us. I doubt if that will change.

"God gives us friends as a sign of His hope for a common bond for all humanity." 

I graduated this past spring. Looking back upon the last four years of high school, I can definitely see the hand of God placing people in my life that have helped me in various ways. Many of these individuals taught me valuable lessons that I will take with me as I continue to journey in life. Some were there to laugh with me at my stupid diabetes jokes and to give a smile when we passed in the hallways. I believe God uses those people just as much as anyone else. Through these people, I have learned not to take friendships for granted. They are extremely precious and unique.

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another...If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us." ~ 1 John 4:11-12