An Incredible Friend

First of all, let me preface this piece of writing by saying that this may be a little longer than most blogs I write. I have so much on my heart that I want to share. I've been wanting to write about friendship for a while and I don't think I could properly express any ideas on friendship without talking about the best friend anyone could ever have. That best friend being Jesus. I haven't been around forever, but I've had my fair share of friendships. But the best of the best is no comparison to the friend I've found in Jesus. Because even the best friends are not always with you or there when you need it, they don't always know your inner-most thoughts, and they can't always understand what your heart feels and your deepest desires. But Jesus, He knows it all, He understands, and He is always, always there and always, always faithful.

**FOR I KNOW YOU ARE FAITHFUL, MY GOD.** 

(Jesus Culture, He is Faithful, Consumed Album)

So, I have to tell you about my awesome friend, Jesus. He makes everything so perfect sometimes. The past few days I got to spend with one of the best friends I've ever had. Krista was in PA with a mission organization and she came up to spend a couple days with me. And yesterday and today, we went adventuring out in the woods and hiking. At one point the ground fell out under my one foot. I was leaning to take a picture and next thing I knew, my leg was in a hole half a foot above my knee. So, Krista held my phone\camera while I pulled up a completely soaked, very cold, muddy foot and shoe. The bottom of my jeans were soaked. And I had to laugh. I used to get upset about things like that, and instead I just decided to enjoy the rest of the day. I spent half the day walking in the woods in my bare feet. (I can't do one shoe on and one shoe off and it was easier to walk barefoot than to carry around the 20 pound shoe. haha.) And we never found the falls we were looking for, but we found some cool spots out in the middle of no where in the woods. But I couldn't have come up with a more perfect day. Thank You, Jesus!

Today, Krista and I headed out in to the woods for another hike to cool little waterfall. It was great. We hiked about a mile through the crunchy leaves, just enjoying each other's company, the smell of the woods, the sunlight, and talking of the awesome things we've seen God doing lately. The waterfall was really pretty. It came off a really tall rock, so I actually was able to walk to the top of the waterfall. (I took my shoes off this time, no more ruining sneakers.) But at the top of the waterfall it's only a couple inches deep. Cool experience. Another great day. I didn't realize how much I missed being out in the woods. After I played in the waterfall some, we laid down beside each other on a rock by the waterfall and prayed together, with the sound of the running water in the background. A friend of mine always says he's surrounded by the best of the best people. And I feel the same about my own life. I look at the close friends I have and couldn't imagine any better. I love having friends I can pray with. It's AMAZING! On the way back up, we stopped to catch our breath (we didn't realize it was all uphill on the way out..haha.). Back in the middle of the woods, all we could hear was the wind blowing through the trees. So quiet. So peaceful. So amazing.

So, Krista and I get back in to town and take some pictures on the tracks. I reached in my back pocket to get my wallet out so we could go get dinner and.....my wallet wasn't there! Uh-oh! We re-checked and re-checked by the tracks with no prevail. So Mom and Krista headed to get dinner, and I went back and checked again. Still nothing. At this point, I remind myself that God has never failed me, and remind Him that He has been faithful in the past and I believe He won't fail me now. At this point, I also texted about 8 close friends and asked them to pray. One, in particular, texted me back a short prayer asking for peace and protection over my wallet and that I'd trust God with my finances. And I was so at peace. I wasn't really worried. So, we take Krista to the airport and come back. When Dad gets home from work, I told him I lost my wallet. And as I'm telling me, it was just like God just dropped it into my head and I looked at Dad and said "I know where it is." So, we took his truck and traveled way back in the woods. We drove as far as possible, and then half ran to the spot. See, when looking at the waterfall I climbed up a huge rock to get a different view. Once to the top, I realized the leaves were too slippery and the rock was too steep I couldn't walk back down, so I slid down the leaves on my butt. Lo and behold, there is my wallet as we get there, laying completely undisturbed. We made it back out of the woods just as it was starting to get really dark. PRAISE GOD!!!!!

Let me say one more thing as far as friendships go, find friends you can trust, and share your heart with, and who will encourage you in your God-give dreams and visions. Find friends you can pray with in good times and in bad. Forgive now...not later, but now. And learn how to really love (like 1 Corinthians 13 love). And if any of you are struggling with current friendships, I know a four part sermon series that could change your life. I know it did mine. Let me know if you're interested for yourself or anyone else. (It's totally free too.)

If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed hearing about my Incredible Friend.

I hope you are doing well.