I'm Just Sayin!

                  "My forever friend Terri!"

                                          “I’m Just Sayin’”

                                                                 by Alan P. Scaglione

I got a call from an old friend.

She’s been dealing with a medical issue
That took us all by surprise.
Terri and I have been lifelong friends.
We go back to around 13…
We went to high school together.
We were in church together.
We made a lifelong connection that has never broken.
Even though our lives have taken different paths.
She and I have always had this bond.
We laugh… we talk…
Okay, so she talks, and I listen.
I love that about her—she always has such interesting things to say.
And I have always enjoyed hearing from her.
She wrote me a few months ago, and she said one of the nicest things anyone has ever said.
Terri said that she knew that I believed in prayer and that I prayed.
She didn’t tell me what, but…
She asked me to pray.
There’s nothing better than knowing that your friends knows…
That you pray… and they trust you to pray for them.

 The next email was not great news…

She had to go in for some testing.
She asked me to continue praying.
I did, and I got all of my prayer chain praying for her.
Another email… worse news.
They needed to schedule an operation.
I knew she was expecting me to pray this away, but… it just wasn’t happening.
I promised her that I would not quit praying, no matter what.
She told me that was relying on that!
And I did, and I did, and I did!

I am one of those people you hear about.

I truly do my very best to keep my word and to be the friend I would want to have.
I know, I know…
Everyone talks about being a good friend, but…
I just really make it a priority.
And I have learned…
A friend in need, is a friend indeed!
And I have also learned…
A fair weather friend… Is no friend at all!

 I have learned a lesson in my walk with God.

I have learned that … it’s my job to pray.
It’s HIS job to answer… however HE sees fit!
That’s the hardest part—trusting that HE knows best!
His Word says in Isaiah 55:8-9
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
So I do my job… and I trust HIM to do His!
 
She came through the operation okay.
Some changes in her life—definitely!
But life to have changes happen—most thankfully!
And the best part of the changes is just… having a life to change!
It took a week, but she was finally home.
I would send texts; I would leave voicemail; I would send email.
I just wanted her to know—this friend was in for the long haul.

 Sometimes—we think that we don’t know what to say, so… we walk away.

But, we need to remember, the best hugs come in silence!
But they are felt like a roaring stadium!!
Do not walk away just because you don’t know what to say…
Just stay!
They just need us to stay—and let them know… you’re not going anywhere!

 I got this call from an old friend…

I was working. I work on the phone, so… personal calls are frowned upon.
But when I saw the phone said “Terri”—they could frown all they wanted!
She thanked me for my texts, my messages, my emails.
She said they made her laugh and reminded her of her “forever friend” (that would be me!)
I told her that sometimes we don’t know why something happens.
She said something so profound…
“I don’t ask why anymore—I’m just happy to be around to enjoy my life!”
I asked her if she remembered the days when we were raising kids?
She laughed and said yes?? Like, what does that have to do with anything?
I reminded her that there were times when our kids asked WHY??
And we simply responded, “Just because!”
We knew why. We knew how it was protecting them or saving them or teaching them something valuable.
But all they needed to know was “Just because!”
His ways are not our ways…and His thoughts are higher than ours!

Sometimes, It’s just good to be alive!

And that’s enough!
 

Until Next Time

I’m Just Sayin’…
Brother “A”

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