The Power of a Friend

I've been home for almost 7 days now. Home, as in, not leaving the house. We've had a pretty bad stomach virus that nobody else wants. So, I didn't go out, and no one came in. For most people that may not seem like a long time or a big deal, but for me it is. I need people. I love people.

Today the throw up, diarrhea, sickness, tiredness, lack of fresh air, etc. caught up with me. I cried over nothing and everything. I was sure no one loved me, because, my goodness, as soon as we have germs in our house not even my family comes to see me!!! (Just for the record I avoid them like the plague when they are sick too.)

Then after lunch, out of the blue, an old friend texted me and asked if I had time to chat - ON THE PHONE! This same friend was the one that I was just thinking probably didn't have time for me anymore because she lives in a new city and has so many new friends, and probably never even thinks of me. She thought of me and asked me to talk. The whole atmosphere of my prison changed. The sunshine came out even though it was raining. I was suddenly more patient and kind to my children.

At suppertime my parents stopped in. They just live down the street and we see them often, but it's not very common for them to drop by and visit me at my house. I was fixing pancakes and bacon and asked them if they would stay. They did. We ate and talked. Their visit did a lot to refuel my emotional tank.

Neither one of these people knew I was having a rough day, they just randomly thought of me and acted on that thought.

I'm a busy stay at home mom with a heart for missions. Sometimes I get so frustrated that I'm not doing anything for God. I know I'm raising kids and that's huge, but my heart yearns to be doing something more.

Maybe a phone call or a visit is what I'm supposed to be doing. There's something special about a live voice. I love Facebook and text. They are great for keeping in touch with people, but don't take the place of talking with a friend. Part of missions is being Jesus' hands and feet. That's what I felt today. I felt the love of Jesus. I felt like He reminded someone of me and they acted on the thought. I ended the day feeling loved not just by people, but by God.

I have good friends I've let slip through the cracks because of lack of taking the time to keep in contact. I know people who are lonely, home bound, or discouraged. I know it's cliche, but "What would Jesus do?" He always had time for people. Always.


It takes just a few minutes to send a card in the mail or call someone. It takes a little longer to drop in and see someone. I think sometimes these things seem out of style, but they are timeless. They're small things, but things I can do right now, right at this stage in my life. God brings people to my mind all the time.

I love checking my mail every day. I rarely get anything exciting, but still there's the hope that I might. It means the world to me when someone takes time to send me a card or a note in the mail. I know it's an uncommon thing to do these days and it means even more because of it.

When I was younger I traveled the world to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now I stay at home in a small town in Arkansas doing dishes, folding laundry, and chasing babies. I need to let the US Postal Service and the telephone lines travel for me. The same love of Jesus that I took across the globe can travel those lines just as well.

I felt God's love today because of small gestures from other people. We are His hands, His feet.

"Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies."  Mother Teresa