Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

~Colossians 3:12 NIV

Occasionally I’d visit a pet store where my husband worked. The store owner was nice but his wife Glen? I found her a bit . . . odd. We would speak a few sentences to each other, and she’d usually go on her way in mid-conversation. Little did I know the reward of friendship I would receive. 

Glen and her husband stopped by our house one day, which was something they’d never done before. The two husbands took a walk, and by default, I kept Glen company–a situation that made me uncomfortable. After a few minutes of small talk, Glen told me why they had stopped by. Her husband had cancer. My heart broke as I watched the tears trickle down her cheeks. Her husband’s cancer was fast spreading. Within a year, he passed away.

After that, Glen kept asking my husband to take me with him to the store. At first, I hesitated because I barely knew her, but I figured she needed female companionship. She tried to talk to me, and I asked her if she believed in Jesus. When her husband was alive, she had no desire to seek Jesus or religion. But now, on her own, she wanted to learn more about Him. I invited her to church, and she accepted. Within a few short weeks, we had become friends.

A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

~Proverbs 18:24 NKJV

Then, Glen called me one morning, crying. She, too, had been diagnosed with cancer. Scared and with no one to turn to, I became her caregiver. I knew it was what God wanted me to do. Since Glen didn’t drive, I took her to her doctor and chemo appointments and picked up her medications.

Within three years, my new-found friend had lost her husband, undergone surgery, suffered a stroke, lost her business, and lost her home. Sick and having nowhere else to go, Social Services moved her into a nursing home. She took what few belongings would fit into her tiny room and settled in.

In her last days, Glen was adamant about reading the Bible with me. We spent our afternoons reading and discussing the Scriptures, talking about eternity, and enjoying fellowship. After finishing our Bible studies, she always said, “God has a plan for me.” I’d smile, but when I got to my car, I’d cry. I determined to make her as happy as I could. We were the typical odd couple, but by God’s divine intervention, He brought us together, not only to be friends but also to learn from each other.

Caring for Glen showed me the life lesson of bravery. She had gone from being a successful businesswoman and homeowner to losing everything and owning nothing. Yet, she continued to learn and grow. During all the trials she faced, she did not complain or blame anyone, not even God. She found comfort in Jesus and the love He had for her.

Before Glen died, she witnessed her brother place his faith in Jesus Christ and joyfully witnessed his baptism. All because her brother had heard Glen and I talking about the Lord. I believe God’s plan for her life was to show her unswerving faith to her brother.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

~Romans 10:17 NKJV

Faith and friendships came by hearing the Word of God. Even through trials and hardships I have no explanation for, God still worked His best by saving souls. Had it not been for the odd friendship He designed by putting Glen and me together, we would not have seen His work of salvation for Glen and her brother.

What friend has God put in your life that at first felt like an odd match?

Jesus, You created me for fellowship—to have and be a friend. Thank You for putting people in my life You want me to befriend. Help me to put aside any judgmental thoughts and accept others for whom You created them. Help me to share biblical values with every friendship You ordain for me. Amen.

Copyright 2020: The Reward of Friendship: Author Sandra Stein: All Rights Reserved