Thoughts for the Day

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I have moved all my life, starting at the age of 18 months I believe, although that was only a shift from No. 3 to No. 18 in the same street at Blackdown Army Camp. No. 18 terrified me as it had a huge damp stain at the top of the stairs - I've no idea why this scared me, but it meant there were two bedrooms, and since I had whooping cough twice before I was five, this was the house I remember very well. I had an indoor swing over the stairs, as I was ill for months and couldn't go out. However, in 1952 we moved into No. 20, because my parents adopted twins and we needed more space.

More moves occurred, to Germany, Belgium, and then many more around the UK. These moves continued into adult life when I joined the RAF and then married someone in the RAF - Cyprus, UK, Northern Ireland etc came and went - always moving. I have also served in five different Dioceses in the UK. Conclusion? It's a little hard to make friends! However, occasionally, someone or a couple stood out and despite my moving on we grew close. These friends remained with me and have never left, despite my travelling half a country away from them.

Jesus taught the disciples that they were his friends when they carried out his commands. When we respond to His call, when we draw near to Him, and get to know Him we too become His friends - more than acquaintances or vague connections, and we learn to turn to Him for everything knowing that He is always there for us.

Lord Jesus Christ,
teach us how to stay close to You
and not treat You like an occasional acquaintance.
May we share everything with You,
learn to listen and respond to You,
and grow ever closer to You,
in the coming years.
Amen.