Do you have a BFF?  That person who has seen you at the best of times and the worst: with make-up and without, good hair days, and category three hurricane days. That person who you share absolutely everything with, even your deepest darkest secrets that would cause you to cringe if they were ever made public: That person who you know you can call, or pound on their door in the middle of the night during emergencies. You know they will always be there for you, and you for them.

Some of you may have known your BFF your entire life, while others may have known theirs for only a few short years.  Either way, you can’t imagine your life without them in it. If you’re like me, you may have imagined you and your BFF growing old together, sharing jokes only the two of you understand. There is a bond between best friends that neither time, nor distance can break—the bonds however are not indestructible.

I have known, and lost several “best friends” over my lifetime. Each time the fracture of the friendship was devastating. I mean…this bond was supposed to last a lifetime…wasn’t it? Here’s the thing though—we’re human and we’re flawed. Even the life long friendships have likely endured times of struggle: possibly betrayal, lies and hurtful words. Being a best friend takes work; keeping a best friend takes commitment and a wagon-load of forgiveness. Sadly, there are times when all the forgiveness in the world, all the commitment, and hard work simply isn’t enough. The friendship needs to end. That's a hard choice to make.

Over the years I have come to say that I don’t do “best friends” anymore. Instead, I have several very dear friends. These past couple years however, I have come to realize that I do have a BFF. I have the most amazing, loving, committed, giving, forgiving, supportive, best friend imaginable; and this friend is FOREVER. Have you guessed yet? Yes, it’s God.  Or rather, God my Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ my Savior,and brother, and the amazing Holy Spirit, my ever-present counselor: three best friends rolled into on incredible package. How cool is that! Second on my BFF list is my devoted husband who stands by me through it all.

I was listening to a Christian song this morning, by Phillips, Craig and Dean, called: “Friend of God.” The words caught my attention, and ultimately led to this article. “Who am I that You are mindful of me? That You hear me when I call. Is it true that You are thinking of me? How you Love me, It's Amazing. I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, He calls me friend”

Isn’t it completely mind blowing that the God of the Universe, Creator of all; not only loves us, but calls us friend. Who are we that He is mindful of us, that He hears us when we call? We’re his children. But more than that: We are, for all of eternity, His Best Friends; and He is ours. The line of this song that cinches the deal is: “He calls me friend.” Not only am I able to say that God is my friend, that: “I am a friend of God.” But—and this is the mind-blowing part--“He calls me friend.” If someone were to go up to God and say: “So, tell me about _______________.” (Insert your name)
God would answer, “I call them friend.” That is Amazing!

To all of you who have been blessed to have a best friend who has had your back nearly your entire life: that is incredible, something to be treasured. For those who have seen best friends come and go, don’t lose hope because we have the ultimate BFF and He will call us friend for all of eternity. Good days and bad—He will never leave us.
God Bless
Sandy
Please take a minute and enjoy this music Video: "Friend of God" by Phillips, Craig, and Dean

Christmas is upon us. Amongst the hustle and bustle of family preparations, let us take a moment to truly remember the Reason for the Season: The birth of our Lord and Savior. Jesus, God’s only begotten son, came into this world to save each of us from our sins, so that we may live with Him for eternity. He came into this world as a tiny babe, born in a cold stable, surrounded by animals, with a manger for His bed. What a humble entrance for the King of Kings, our Savior and Protector.

Jesus answered the call. Fore, unseen by human eyes, a great battle was, and still is raging. It has raged since the beginning of creation: A battle for our very souls. Jesus came and freely offered His life to save us from the ravages of sin and death. Jesus answered the call.

Our men and women who serve in our military have also answered the call. The call to action; the call to leave family and friends to protect each and every one of us; to save us from the perils of hate; to protect our freedom and, yes, our very lives. Some have sacrificed life and limbs in this endeavor. Yes, our men and women of the military have answered the call to action.

As we snuggle safely in our beds tonight, let us remember two things. Jesus Christ who came from eternity into a cold, oft times heartless world, to save you and I so that we may live for eternity with Him. And, our courageous men and women, who have left the safety and security of family and home to fight for our freedom: The men and women who have answered the call to action on our behalf.

God bless you all, and have a blessed Christmas.
You are missed and loved.

Please enjoy this added video: "Silent Night-A Tribute to the Military

“Let there be peace on earth.” This has been our hope and prayer for nearly as long as men and women have walked the earth. Battles have been waged over seemingly trivial things: battles, which turn to wars, and wars that lead to sorrow. Peace has over the centuries been a spotty concept. Some countries have traveled the course in relative peace, while for others war and occupation has become their horrifying norm. We, the United States, are blessed to know relative peace within our shores, but that peace came with a price.

Jesus promises that there will come a time of eternal peace. A time when there will be no more wars, no more hate, no more killing. As we celebrate this Advent Season, we not only look forward to, and prepare for, the birth of our Savior, but we also prepare for His return. But, until that glorious day, sadly, war will continue. We as human beings however, will continue to strive for, yearn for, and yes, fight for, peace on earth. It will always be our hopeful prayer.

As we travel through this Christmas Season, let us remember all those who, through the history of our country, have left the safety of home and family to fight bravely for our freedom; whether on our home shores, or in lands far away. Our men and women, our brave soldiers, fight for what seems unattainable by most: Peace on earth. To our soldiers however, that which may seem unattainable is their life’s cause. Thank-you one and all.

Please take a moment and watch the powerful video:  “American Soldier Christmas, "Let There Be Peace On Earth.” And let us keep these men and women in our Christmas prayers.

Merry Christmas to every one of you.

It’s not a surprise to most that we are smack in the middle of the Christmas Season. Houses are decorated, trees trimmed, Cookies are being baked, gifts bought, meals planned, and our calendars are filled to the max. Our children are making their lists to Santa, and the lists get longer with each passing year; our stress levels are skyrocketing, and our wallets shrinking. Yes, we are smack in the middle of the Christmas Season.

But, while we are making our lists, and checking them twice, while we arrange our nativity scenes, attend Christmas parties, and sing Christmas carols; let us also take time to remember all those who will not be with their families this Christmas. Let us remember all our military, and their families, and loved ones. Those selfless men and women who have left everything and everyone that they know and love, to serve, to fight, and to sacrifice their very lives, so we are free to celebrate this Christmas Season.

Many of our soldiers will not be home for Christmas. They will not smell cookies baking, or hear the carols being sung. They won’t be able to put their little ones to bed on Christmas Eve with visions of sugarplums, and Santa Clause dancing in their heads. They won’t hear the squeals of delight, far too early on Christmas morning, nor see the amazement in their children’s eyes as they open their gifts. They won’t feel a spouse’s embrace, or a mother’s pesky kisses. No, for many of our soldiers Christmas will be much different.

Throughout this Christmas Season, I will be using my Blog as a tool to honor those in our military who have answered the call to action, by sharing very special Christmas videos I have found. My feeble words are not enough. The words and the pictures of the Christmas songs I discovered carry more power than I could ever hope to achieve with mere words alone. So, as my Christmas present to you and yours, and to all of our brave men and women, as well as their loved ones, I give to you: “A Soldier’s Silent Night.”

My Purple Cast
I have been adjusting these past few weeks to life in a purple cast, and using crutches as my main source of transportation. Although my cast is looking extremely lovely, after my crafty niece, Amy, and my grandchildren decorated it for me; and my crutches are soft and cushy, since my wonderful hubby bought brightly colored cushions for it; I have to say, I’m growing extremely weary of being encumbered. On the plus side, this unwanted adventure does allow me extra writing time, I’m all for that. On the negative side, any little chore takes twice as long while hobbling around with crutches in tow, and that tends to cut down on the writing time. Sigh!

Helpless as a baby
These past few weeks have been an exercise in relinquishing control, and learning to trust. (The only exercise I’ve been getting, other than an upper body workout from using crutches.) From the moment Bob found me face down on the floor, unable to walk due to a broken ankle, as well as being sick as a dog; my world completely changed. Any semblance of dignity flew out the window; I had become in some senses as helpless as a baby; only I’m not a baby. As Bob assisted me with everything—and I do mean everything—I was reminded of both of his parents, and my mother, when their health began to diminish. The strong, healthy, vital people they had once been, slowly, over time as their age increased, and health decreased, became frail shells of their former selves. They, as I, needed help with every part of their daily lives. Frightening!

Nothing’s simple
The simplest of things, walking across the room to get a tissue, hobbling to the kitchen, getting ready for bed at night, having to get up in the middle of the night for a nature call, getting washed up for the day; all were done through pain, and with a great amount of trepidation. My balance was off, I was shaky and unsteady on my feet, or should I say foot. The fear of falling was a constant, the fear of breaking my ankle worse or breaking something else, also a constant. My world became the love seat, and whatever I could reach from my place of honor. I had for all intense and purposes lost all semblance of control. And through this time I had no other choice but to “let go and let God, and let Bob.” During the worst of times, I found myself feeling useless, helpless, hopeless and burdensome. Possibly as our parents may also have felt.

WHY?
During this time I also found myself asking God “why?” all the time. “Why is this happening to me again?” “Wasn’t my spring and summer already difficult enough, did I need a broken ankle as well?” “Why had I gotten sick, AGAIN, leaving me as weak as I had been?” Why, why, why. And I will admit, there was a tiny bit of anger tossed in the mix. “Really! This is happening again?! You have got to be kidding!!!!!”  All the plans I had made to get the gardens ready for fall—gone. Playing with my grandson—severely limited. I just couldn’t understand why? But, I guess I didn’t really have to understand. I had to learn to trust.

Never Alone
Once I was able to battle through the fog of anger and questioning, I found myself coming to a place of…well, I don’t know what place I came to, but it was better. I watched as my husband took care of me, pampered me, worried about me, and as useless as I felt, I also felt loved. I found myself encouraging him during his weak and exhausted moments. I grabbed hold of every tiny morsel of hope as far as my healing was concerned. Today is better than yesterday, and tomorrow will be better still. I came to realize that even though I couldn’t understand why this happened, I was learning that I hadn’t been alone during it. God was with me every step of the way, even when I was lying on the floor. My time of involuntary house arrest, allowed me the opportunity to slow down--way down—and appreciate the little things. To let go of the mundane annoyances that tended to send me into states of irritation in the blink of an eye. I had to learn to trust Bob to do all the things that I was supposed to be doing; and he did a great job. I found myself smiling at him more than usual, saying thank-you more than usual, and appreciating the amazing husband I had been taking for granted.

Thankfully my time in my pretty purple cast is nearing an end; it comes off in a week. Yay! I will then be put into  some sort of walking brace which should be able to come off for showers and such. Again, Yay! I have been informed by its decorators' that I have to save their artwork, which means saving the cast. Perhaps I need to get it framed. These past few weeks have not been easy, but are getting better; one day at a time. Thanks to an amazing God who has never and will never leave me alone, and an amazing husband who gave every part of himself to help me during this time.