I don’t have a ton of friends. I never have. I’m the kind person who only needs a few friends whom I can share my heart with. For me, these few friends are some of the most important people in my life.
As I was praying about few ways I can offer a few words of wisdom on the topic of friendship, one of the first ideas that came to mind was to simply honor one of my very good friends. This is something you can do too. Whether in a letter, over lunch or on the phone, take some time in the next few days to pray for and honor one of your friends.
Her name is Laura. We met nine years ago in gym glass. Over the course of that semester our friendship grew. Before I knew it, a mutual friend of ours invited her to church and we began hanging out both in and out of school. Not being Catholic at the time, Laura began to ask a lot of questions about the faith, and, although I didn’t have all the answers, I was able to point her to people who did and begin to walk a very tough, long journey with her. After a year of classes and prayer, Laura became Catholic.
Over the last nine years, Laura and I have shared many, many good times and many, many bad times. We’ve laughed together, and cried together. We’ve listened to one another for hours and hours when we are struggling. We’ve prayed with and for one another. We’ve encouraged one another when the other was feeling down. We’ve also called each other to task when one of us was being dumb.
But, there is one very special and unique attribute about Laura that continues to blow me away … her pure heart. Laura sees life differently. Everything she does or says or works toward is done with the purest of hearts. If you ever have the opportunity to spend time with Laura, you’ll leave knowing that she is set apart and that the Lord has truly anointed her with the gift of purity of heart.
I’ve learned so much about what it means to have unconditional love and selfless service from Laura. Like no one else in my life, she is constantly searching for the Lord in each and every circumstance. Laura inspires me with her simple yet beautiful wisdom about who God is in her life and how He is speaking to her. Without even knowing it, she calls me to task in my own prayer life and give me hope that God actually does hear me and love me. Laura has taught me to endure difficult times with my head held high and trust that God has a plan for me.
To My Friend Laura,
I am grateful for who you are in my life. Thank you for your constant support and witness of love. You have been such a source of light and joy to me over the years of our friendship. Words cannot express the honor it is to call you my friend. I am proud of you and the way you selflessly serve the Lord. Remember, in all things run after the Lord as hard as you can. He will be your source of courage and peace. Today, I hold you up in prayer and give thanks to God for you. Thanks for being such a wonderful friend to me.
-Katie
