the oil and perfume of a friendship

yesterday's service was redolent with memories of sweet yesterdays with
my childhood best friend.

we became 'bosom buddies' the summer before fifth grade and proceeded
to laugh, cry, and sing our way through high school.   her friendship kept
me on a safe path that lead to many hilarious and sweet adventures.

even though we took divergent roads after that, today, i still sometimes
call her my best friend.  she is the friend who understands my past,
believes in me,  has forgiven me many times, and accepts me just the
way i am.

so . . . yesterday, she preached, at my church, one of the finest sermons
on the Holy Spirit.  she shared that when Jesus described Him to
nicodemus, He said the Spirit was like the wind, which "blows
wherever it pleases.  you can hear its sound, but you cannot tell
where it comes from or where it is going."  (john 3:9)

we are reluctant to believe in what we can't see.  it is offensive to
admit that "since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities-
His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being
understood from what has been made." (romans 1:20)

a velvety red rose, a nightingale's song, a baby's smile, "the oil and
perfume of a sweet friendship." (proverbs 27:9)

love,
lea