“My calling and my friends, those are the two hinges on which my life turns.”
My niece Sydney turned 4 the other day. It’s hard to believe. Feels like just yesterday we were driving up to Duluth to visit her in the hospital the day after she was born. We were all in awe of this precious little life in front of us, the newest addition to the family.
It was a bittersweet month; new life was brought into the world after another life had been taken – my Grandma Ellie had passed away in February from liver cancer. She was the matriarch of our big, incredible family. The most kind, compassionate, hospitable woman I’ve ever known.
I can remember times when I would bring friends up to The Lake (what we call their house on Martin Lake), and after a little while someone would be missing from our activities and we would wonder where they were. I would often find them sitting with Grandma – sharing their life’s story with her. She loved to ask questions and she loved to talk about us – her kids, grandkids, great grandkids. She always wanted to get to know everyone, to show them love and welcome them into her home.
She also loved to share her faith. She loved to talk about Jesus and all the ways he was working in her life and the lives of those around her. She was a prayer warrior. I know without a doubt that many of her prayers for all of us have been answered, and are still being answered even now that she’s gone. She served countless hours at church and the local hospital; a life of service – to God and to others. She lived for relationships.
The family she and my Grandpa have created is special. SO SPECIAL. Grandpa is the ultimate example of love, humility, and integrity. His character is nothing short of Christ-like, and it has made a profound impact on my life and the life of countless others. Together they have built an incredible, God-ordained legacy.
Some of my fondest memories are of waking up at The Lake and walking into the kitchen to find Grandma and Grandpa sitting at the table doing their morning devotion together. They always put Christ first in their life, and the blessings that have come from that are nothing short of miraculous. I am so thankful to have the family that I do, and it is all because of their commitment to each other and to the life that they felt called to live as followers of Christ.
“Not all treasure is silver and gold, Mate. ”
I like to say that while the Lord may not often bless me financially, I am rich in relationships.
To grow up in a big loving family where everyone loves to spend time together makes me rich. To have the examples of faith, character, and integrity repeatedly modeled for me makes me rich. To have love and support for my entire life makes me SO. INCREDIBLY. RICH. This is a blessing you can’t put a price tag on.
And that’s just my FAMILY. When I think of how many great FRIENDS I have, it blows my mind.
I have friends I have known since kindergarten who I am still close with to this day. I have friends I grew up with playing soccer, friends from high school, college, church, work. I often think about how impossible it will be to pick groomsmen for my wedding someday; I’m gonna want 30 people up there with me. My friends are my tribe. My team. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.
Friendships are formed in all times of life. I have learned that the friends you are closest to and keep around the longest are those that share your vision. They encourage your passions and calling and they are the ones you make the most memories with – good and bad.
“A friend loves at all times; and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
In every season of my life, it has been my friends and family that have shared in the joy or comforted me in the sorrow. It’s really amazing the way God uses the people in my life to teach me, shape me, support me and challenge me.
The connections I have made, the places I have been, the amazing life I currently live here in Nashville is all due to my friends, my family, and my calling.
I believe my calling is to be a part of a bigger story. To sow seeds of greatness and build relationships so that I too can someday leave a great legacy.
So what I want to leave you with is this question: Are you rich in relationship?
Do you invest your time and resources into people or into things? Be intentional with the bonds you are forming. Be grateful for the influence others have on you; learn and grow from it. Tell people you love them and how much they mean to you.
Create a way of life that allows you to be rich in relationship; it’s the best investment you’ll ever make.
“Christianity, in its true form, tells us that there is an Author and that he is good, the essence of all that is good and beautiful and true, for he is the source of all these things. And He cares so much for our happiness that he endows us with the capacity to love and to be loved, which is the greatest happiness of all.”