A Cherished Friend
Dear Gentle Reader,
Writing today’s blog will be so fun because I’m going to introduce you to my friend Kathy. Have you ever longed for a special friend? Oh, that everyone might have a friend like Kathy! She is the most warm-hearted, thoughtful, and clear-thinking person you could meet. Ironically, she had been praying for a friend, and then I showed up in their Sunday School class. We think it was a "divine appointment."
I admire her seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm, as she pursues gardening, crafts, travel, reading, her family, and Christian living interests. She and her husband have been married for well over fifty years, so she has been tempered by life experiences and has a wealth of practical knowledge and wisdom. (She says she learns from me, but it’s really the other way around.)
Kathy is so generous with her time and possessions. Her friends (she seems to "collect" people with financial needs) will show up at her door at dinnertime (or occasionally, even at breakfast time), needing her encouragement or counsel. She barely blinks an eye as she puts on another plate and stretches the meal prepared for her and her husband so it will feed another hungry mouth.
Because of her own painful youth, she went to Christian counseling. It helped her so much in forgiving her father and strengthening her marriage that she wanted to help others and took a course so she could counsel. Now she shares her wisdom with any who will commit to doing the reading and reflection that the counseling requires.
Over the years she’s taken on responsibility for elderly people at her church who need help going to the doctors, figuring out their finances, etc. For at least three years, she has driven across town to pick up 98-year-old Jeanetta at her retirement home, to bring her to our Bible study meeting. Due to Jeanetta’s hearing loss, she has a little trouble following things, but she seems to enjoy the social aspect.
In addition, Kathy buys Jeanetta's underwear, Depends, toiletries, and other necessities. She takes home some of Jeanetta’s clothing to be laundered . She often treats her to lunch and buys warm clothes for her at Christmas. When Jeanetta fell in the nursing home last fall, it was Kathy who waited in E.R. to see whether she had broken any bones. When Jeanetta fell a second time, breaking her hip, ditto.
Today Kathy is leading our "Love Family" group because I didn’t want to contaminate them with my germiness. This morning she picked up all the materials, as well as another member, and she fills in cheerfully whenever needed. What a friend!
I’m reminded of a little boy who nervously asked his mother to leave the light on after she tucked him into bed for the night. "Don’t worry, honey, Jesus is with you."
He thought a minute and then replied, "But I need somebody with skin!"
Kathy has skin, and I know Jesus’ spirit dwells in her!
Writing today’s blog will be so fun because I’m going to introduce you to my friend Kathy. Have you ever longed for a special friend? Oh, that everyone might have a friend like Kathy! She is the most warm-hearted, thoughtful, and clear-thinking person you could meet. Ironically, she had been praying for a friend, and then I showed up in their Sunday School class. We think it was a "divine appointment."
I admire her seemingly inexhaustible enthusiasm, as she pursues gardening, crafts, travel, reading, her family, and Christian living interests. She and her husband have been married for well over fifty years, so she has been tempered by life experiences and has a wealth of practical knowledge and wisdom. (She says she learns from me, but it’s really the other way around.)
Kathy is so generous with her time and possessions. Her friends (she seems to "collect" people with financial needs) will show up at her door at dinnertime (or occasionally, even at breakfast time), needing her encouragement or counsel. She barely blinks an eye as she puts on another plate and stretches the meal prepared for her and her husband so it will feed another hungry mouth.
Because of her own painful youth, she went to Christian counseling. It helped her so much in forgiving her father and strengthening her marriage that she wanted to help others and took a course so she could counsel. Now she shares her wisdom with any who will commit to doing the reading and reflection that the counseling requires.
Over the years she’s taken on responsibility for elderly people at her church who need help going to the doctors, figuring out their finances, etc. For at least three years, she has driven across town to pick up 98-year-old Jeanetta at her retirement home, to bring her to our Bible study meeting. Due to Jeanetta’s hearing loss, she has a little trouble following things, but she seems to enjoy the social aspect.
In addition, Kathy buys Jeanetta's underwear, Depends, toiletries, and other necessities. She takes home some of Jeanetta’s clothing to be laundered . She often treats her to lunch and buys warm clothes for her at Christmas. When Jeanetta fell in the nursing home last fall, it was Kathy who waited in E.R. to see whether she had broken any bones. When Jeanetta fell a second time, breaking her hip, ditto.
Today Kathy is leading our "Love Family" group because I didn’t want to contaminate them with my germiness. This morning she picked up all the materials, as well as another member, and she fills in cheerfully whenever needed. What a friend!
I’m reminded of a little boy who nervously asked his mother to leave the light on after she tucked him into bed for the night. "Don’t worry, honey, Jesus is with you."
He thought a minute and then replied, "But I need somebody with skin!"
Kathy has skin, and I know Jesus’ spirit dwells in her!
posted by Patty G. | 1:24 PM
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