Friends

I know, I know, 2 in one day, what is the occasion. Well, earlier tonight I had some friends over the house helping me put my pool table together. Actually, they weren't helping me, they were doing it. I was "helping" them by staying out of the way. So anyhow, after they completed the table we had just enough time to shoot a couple of games to test it out. It was fun. After they left I started thinking about how cool it was of them to offer to do this for me out of the blue. I had called to see how much it would cost me to do this. I was quoted $420 for a re-felting, set-up, and balancing. My jaw dropped! Then my buddy was at the house and noticed the table pieces. He asked if I needed help putting it together. I quickly replied, "yeah, I would love some help." Turns out he used to have one very similar and was very familiar with setting them up, balancing them, and re-felting them. The cool thing is that not only did he know how to do it, but he was excited about the opportunity to help me by doing it for me. Well, tonight I started thinking about it. He and I have some things in common, but if it weren't for the church we might never have even met each other. Even if we did meet each other, we might not have ever began talking about things because our lives are just a little different. Sure we both have kids and both enjoy hanging out, but in many ways we are very different (like the fact that he knew how to put a three piece slate pool table together and had every tool needed for the job already). But because of Christ, and because of the church, we have gotten to know each other. Through this I have discovered many things that we have in common- like knowing how to put some English on the cue ball), and I look forward to being around him. In fact, I look forward to playing many more games of pool in the living room with him, as we talk about life, God, kids, work, and whatever else comes up. He is my friend. I feel like that is what the church is supposed to be- a place where we can really get to know people for who they are, and learn more about God through our friendship with them. My friend was made in the image of God, just like I was, and in him I see a servants heart that inspires me to serve my church to the best of my ability. I have also learned what "shims" are, and liquid concrete, and how to "float" a pool table. Who knows, I might even get ambitious and try to fix something pretty soon. I love the fact that I can intimately experience so many different people because we share a common bond. If I had to categorize my "best friends" right now (at the cost of using a cheesy middle school term) I would say that they range from late 40's to early 20's in age. Their education ranges from doctorate degrees to high school diplomas. They are different colors than me, different personality types than me, and different life situations than me. But because of these men I have been made a better man. I have learned things from them that have made me a better husband, a better father, and a better pastor. We share Christ, and through that bond we have experienced the joys of looking into each others hearts.
Selah.