As we reflect and learn about friends this month during worship, I’ve started thinking about another kind of friend. Maybe call them incidental friends, or auxiliary folks- you know, the people who contribute to our lives, are part of our experiences, but aren’t really what we would call in our group of friends.
They are the people who we interact with, who make life better. We don’t hang out with them, but they are more than acquaintances. For me, I think of Alan, broadcasting on WBHF on Saturday morning when my dog and I walk by the window on the way to the Farmers Market.We exchange waves and smiles as we continue our day. Or Ralph, my mailperson for years- we sometimes wave, smile, occasionally briefly chat. And people whose names I don’t know who walk by my house often- our exchanged greetings are a moment of nice for each of us.
Think about the people who enhance your life by being present- at the grocery store, the medical office, the routines of the day. People who maybe are on the fringe of our routines, but an important part of making life better.
I think I would include the many children I am meeting at our VBS this week. I write their names down but won’t recall many of them. But their personalities and quirks and energy are making my life better, and the crafts and attention I give them I hope contributes to theirs.
And then, I think I would include pets in this fringe of beings. I think about how my every day is better because my dog and cat wake me up, want to be fed, entertain me, and are so glad when I come home. They aren’t like friends that I have deep conversation with (OK, maybe I do have conversations, they are good listeners) but my life is better because they are part of it.
As we continue to think about what it means to have friends, and be a friend, let’s not forget those on the fringe who make our lives better. And let’s remember that we contribute to others’lives by our acts of kindness and sharing our joy in Jesus.
Let’s continue acts of friendship, do some Holy Mischief!
Being a friend,
Pastor Nena
