Maryellen

One day my next door neighbor, Maryellen, called me up and said, “Let’s go walking out by the pond.”  I not being a cold weather person, replied, “It’s freezing outside!”  She responded with, “It’s only 40 degrees.”  I responded, “Right, its freezing!”  She said with exasperation in her voice, “Layer up and come on girl.” Only for a good friend would I do this.  I donned my layers of clothing including coat, scarf, and gloves.  I noticed the smirk on her face when she saw me.

We went walking, me shivering in the wind.  My friend is full of life, and conversation always flows with her.  There is never a quiet or dull moment with her around. Laughter flows from her often and she can turn my tickle box over when others cannot.  She has a big smile always and a huge heart to go with it.  She hugs me big time every time she sees me.  She hugs just like my mother, who I miss since she lives 750 miles away.  So God provided me a hugger.  He provided me a confidant, and a friend who brings smiles to my face and giggles to my heart. As we walk down the paths, sharing about our families, and our lives, I start to warm up.  We reminisce, share thoughts and ideas and laugh some more.  We stop and admire the beauty of the spot we’re at, taking it all in.  We both love nature and all that God has created.  After breathing it in, we head back home.

Coming near the house, I realized I did not feel so cold anymore.  I was quite warm in fact.  I removed my scarf and gloves.  I’m not so sure it had to do with the five layers of clothing though. It just may have been the wonderful warmth of friendship that permeated me on the walk.

One of the best friend stories in the Bible is one of David and Jonathan.  In l Samuel 18:4, Jonathan took off his robe and gave it to David along with his tunic, sword, bow and belt.  Guy things.

Maryellen offered me her pretty jacket that cold day as we headed for the pond. I let her keep it since I had adorned myself with so much. There are beautiful pearls to go around my neck given to me by her.  And she has given me pretty things for my home and garden.  Girl things.

But the most important gifts she has given me are laughter, companionship and someone to share our love of the Lord.  Our personalities are as different as night and day, but our souls have been bonded in such a way that I know it is from the Lord’s hand.

I learned from the Mayo Clinics website that friendship not only enriches your life but improves your health.  Here’s how: During hardship, they are a source of comfort and strength, helping you weather the traumas in your life, they are there to share in the good times, boosts your happiness, reduces stress, increases your sense of belonging, and decreases your risk of serious mental illness.

There is no chance of that here with all the wonderful friendships God has given me.  I am thankful for all of them and the special way in which they give. Remember, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The only way to have a friend is to be one.”  The next time that new neighbor moves in, don’t ignore them, just watching from behind closed curtains.  Go greet them, and give them a hug; they just might become your new best friend.  They just might save you.  You just might be the one to save them.

Maryellen came to me at a time when my life was cold, cloudy, and gloomy.  She comes over always with sunshine to spread all around and lightens up any dark day I might be experiencing at the time.  She is not a fair weather friend; she is an all weather girlfriend.

I read on a sign once. “Friends are to us as bacon bits are to a salad.”  Bacon bits bring zing to the salad.  Maryellen brings zing to my life.  I only hope I can bring a little zip to hers every now and then.  This day started out cold but ended warmly with her friendship.  I love her.  She is not only my neighbor and friend, but also my sister in Christ.                                                                

When the house became empty next door, I prayed the Lord would bring me a neighbor who would love me, that I could love her, and that she would have a love for the Lord as I do.  He brought me so much more!  When I told Maryellen I prayed for her to come, she responded with, “I got here as fast as I could!”

“A friend loves at all times”

Proverbs 17:17