It was just a text message. Or so she thought when she sent it.
My best friend from high school and I grew apart years ago. In college we chose different majors, made new friends and she had a serious boyfriend who took a lot of her time and attention. There was no major falling out. Life just happened and we went our separate ways.
About a year and a half ago we met up for coffee and got caught up on each others lives. But we don’t live close anymore, or go to the same church, so once again life just went on and took us in different directions.
A few weeks ago, out of the blue, she text messaged me to tell me she had a dream about me and that she prayed I was well. I received the message in the middle of a horrible day when a battery of tests resulted in some not so great news from my doctor. I quickly typed out a reply with my thumb and told her how timely her text was and why I could use her prayers. In my hazy fog of fear I must have also told her the date of my next doctor’s appointment. But I don’t remember doing that.
Last week I woke up on the dreaded morning when I was supposed to go in and meet with a surgeon (eek!) and found that I had a text message waiting for me. It was from that same friend. She wanted me to know she was praying that all would go well at my appointment.
I hadn’t told many people about what I was facing, so the thought that a friend—and old friend who had been through the good, the bad and they ugly with me once before—was praying for me brought me a great deal of comfort.
I felt more peaceful as I got ready and went to my appointment. The news was better this time. To the doctor’s amazement my condition looked to be improving without surgery. He scheduled more tests but held off on what had previously been mandatory surgery.
When I got home that night my phone buzzed again. My faithfully praying friend wanted to know how the appointment went—she really had been praying for me all day. When I text her back with the encouraging news I took things a step further and invited her to coffee.
Having her pop back into my life in a moment when I really needed a friend made me realize how grateful I was for all of the times she had been there for me before.
When she picked up her phone to send me a message that’s all it was—a few simple words to an old friend she didn’t talk to often.
But to me it was so much more. It was the breath of fresh air I needed in the midst a trial that felt like it could suffocate me. It was a reminder of good times and a friendship that carried me through both triumphs and heartaches in seasons past.
To me it was a reminder that even though people don’t love you perfectly in life, those who truly love you don’t ever stop.
Is there a text message or an email you need to send today? Do you need to pick up your phone and make a call? Don’t wait. It might mean more to the other person that you think.
Tags: Friendship, girlfriends
How wonderful! Isn’t God just the best? This same thing has happened to me withing the last few weeks. Someone who had no clue of my health issues sent me an ecard on the day I needed it most. I sent her an email thanking her for following God’s nudge and let her know what was going on. She had no idea and was so glad I shared it with her. If I wouldn’t have told her, she would not have gotten the joy of knowing that God nudge was her act of obedience. God is so good even in the midst of our trials. Praying for you, Shannon.
thank you so much for sharing this Shannon! I’m realizing this as well! Blessings upon you!
This was really nice to read.
It’s amusing, because a few days ago a good friend of mine text messaged me in a similar way- I had known her for years, but she told me about how important to her I was as a friend. It was really great to receive something like that.
Aww…I wish I could say that I had a moment like that!
Wow…you really know how to speak to people.
I am 1000 + miles from my hometown that I grew up and graduated in and have not caught up with ANY of my friends, including my best friend in almost 6 months. Thank you for posting this because it was a reminder that those people still matter in my life.
I’m so glad so many of you were encouraged by this post. And Tay, I’m sorry you don’t have a story like this but this is a great chance for you to go and create one for someone else