Monday, June 14, 2010

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






29 comments:

Single and Sane said...

I heard through the grapevine that she did a wonderful job!

Anonymous said...

Friends are always good to have!

Vee said...

It's a wonderful thing to have such a friend...

Anonymous said...

..."His eternal power and divine nature-have been clearly seen, being
understood from what has been made."

And He and everything He has made is everywhere I look! I don't understand how anyone could possibly miss it! :)

Wonderful to be able to get together with your friend like you do, Lea.

As always, a wonderful post.

Emily said...

What a nice memory to have of your friend. I hope you are doing well, I'm just doing some catching up after vacation.

Jodie | Velour said...

Oh I just love this. I've always wanted a "bosom buddy". I think I've had people take that role in different seasons of my life, but not one that has been strung throughout the whole necklace of my years. Well, except for my twin sister... but even there, it hasn't always been closeness and safety. We move in and out of it.
I love this post though. Beautiful.

Vivek said...

Very Nice ...heart touching Post..

Yeah you are absolutely ryt , the memories of the friendship remains 4ever .. , we do lots of silly things ..if we look back ..but .its the trust ..the binding force which ..overcomes all these hurdles ..to come to see ..be with .you ..

May be not physically present ...as now the way of communication has been very diverse ..you are in touch ..just a click away or SMS .

The best thing I like about friendship ..is that its selfless ... we only care for other irrespective of what we are in ...

So its such a wonderful experience n force behind everything wonderful..

You blessed having ..friends ...all around ..its just the connect from heart to heart that matters ....simply amazing...
love your whole ...writings...

have a gr8 week ahead ..

take care
Keep smiling

With love

Vivek
------

Cindy said...

This reminds me of the friendship between Anne and Diana in "Anne of Green Gables". Kindred spirits, bosom friends.

Town and Country House said...

I think we might have the same best friend ;)

His Song to Sing said...

A friendship like you describe is priceless and oh so needful in our times. I'm blessed with several of these also and loved your Proverbs reference as a description of these treasured relationships.

GwendolynKay said...

A lovely post about your friendship.
Blessings~
Gwen

Anita Diaz said...

Oh how wonderful to have a friend like that! So glad you found my "other" blog! I just recently started it as an outlet and tool for my ministry, and I'm finding it much easier to do. I struggle with the other one, but this one just flows! Glad to have you there:-)

Jenny said...

My best friend was like that. We shared 32 years of friendship before she died this past March. I don't know why she had to go. She did but she is still with me, always. Thank you for your sweet thoughts.

Rosie said...

Oh...we all need kindreds...and are truly blessed when we find them, as they are rare jewels...smile on rosie

Silver Strands said...

What a sweet tribute!
oxoxo
Denalee

Joan Elizabeth said...

You are right old friends are the best friends because of the shared past. It's so easy to reconnect even if years go by without seeing them.

Your post made me sigh for another reason ... the churches I currently attend won't let women preach ... such a shame to cut off so many talented people.

~*~ saskia ~*~ said...

Fabulous friend, we cannot without at least one. What sweet image, Lea. Have a happy, happy day. xxxx

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

How wonderful that she preached at your church!

Friendships are rare, much more rare than most people like to think.

I have a friend from 5th grade too and she knows, first hand, things about my childhood that no one else does.

Unknown said...

Hi Lea,
I was just catching up this morning on some posts I missed. I love the one written for those facing an empty nest. You write so beautifully. And your daughter is #10, Yay! I am not surprised what a lovely song.

How blessed to not only have a childhood friend all these years, but one that shares the love of the Holy Spirit. The friendships bonded through the love of Christ are very special ones.

You have what Christ wants us all to have the fragrance of Him.

Karen

Inday said...

the oil and perfume of that kind of friendship is the true essence of life's (An)Ointment.

Anonymous said...

I love your beautiful, descriptive writing. You are truly gifted with words. You are also a beautiful and dear friend. A

koralee said...

You words are fill with such wisdom and love. I always look forward to visiting you as I know something magical awaits me.

Oh how I wish you could of joined Rosie and myself ....what fun we would have together. Rosie is amazing and I feel blessed to have her close by. xoxoxo

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

This kind of friendship is such a joy! You are blessed, and so is she!!

Together We Save said...

Sounds like a wonderful and amazing friend!!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

This was lovely Lea. I've held on to a few friends since kindergarten.

Jo 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."

That's beautiful. My best friend passed away unexpectedly the other day. We have been best friends since elementary school. I believe her spirit has gone to a beautiful place.

Rosie said...

You are a sweet little "JEM"...each morning you stop by and leave a little S*P*A*R*K**L*E on my site...Thank you my friend...What is the magic #...I NEED TO KNOW!!!!
...an anxious Rosie...xoxo...

Unknown said...

Just stopped back to say I loved that story about you and your husband. I love Concord, what a wonderful place to have lived. And a carriage house, how charming.

Karen

Debbie Petras said...

I remember teaching little 4 year old children about the Holy Spirit. They were amazed and laughed when I taught them about the wind and how you couldn't see the wind. But you can see the effect of the wind as you look at the trees. I'm sure they didn't quite get it but ...it helped me explain it to an adult in my life who also doesn't get it. :)

How precious to have a friend like this. Hold onto her and always stay in touch. They are the best kind of friendships.

Thank you for your kind comment to me on Heart Choices. You touched my heart and today I kind of needed that. Sometimes you don't know that the Lord is using you in someone else's life. But He used you today. Thank you for being His vessel.

Love and blessings,
Debbie