A CHRISTMAS WISH

If I could have one wish for Christmas it would be that God would send me a special, unique friend, different from the friends and acquaintances I already have.
This friend would be one who valued being single as a gift from God, one who isn’t called to be married; one who has a passionate desire to know Christ in every area of his life; a person who loves studying and sharing God’s Word. This special friend wouldn’t be offended by my quirky character, or become fearful of my challenging questions and ponderings about God and His involvement with humanity and His church; a friend that I could share a meal with; a godly companion that I could share my walk with Christ with and he would share his walk with Christ with me.

I had a friend once, which was very much like the friend described above, except he was married and older than I. I was about 15 when I met him and his wife, Deacon James and Lucinda Scates. They were members of the church my family attended. They gave me my first job working in their laundry, and after work we’d have dinner together.
A former alcoholic, I never tired of hearing Deacon Scates’s testimony, of meeting Jesus "on a street called Straight,” he would say. And from that point on, he remained in hot pursuit to know Christ more. We would talk for what seemed like hours about Jesus, God, the scriptures---his faith and walk with the Lord, and my young faith and understanding of the Lord.
When I became a young adult, he would have me lead his Sunday School Class. Here I was, a young woman, in my late 20s, discussing the scriptures with aged Christian men and women who were well versed in the Word of God with life experience to back it up. In recalling those days, I can see a glimpse of Jesus as a boy speaking with the doctors and teachers of the law in the temple.

The last time I saw Deacon Scates was 17 or more years ago. He was in the hospital and sent word through my mother to come see him. His wife was going through the beginning stages of Alzheimer’s disease; I imagine he felt somewhat alone.
He wanted to tell me that God was with me, and even as a youth, he had witness the Holy Spirit in my life. He warned me about false teachers who would try to confuse me and turn me aside from the truth I had learned and knew about Christ. He then placed my hand on his stomach and asked me to pray for him. After I had prayed, he said he felt the Holy Spirit leap in his belly, and he knew everything would be all right. He was soon released from the hospital----I never saw him again. In every church I’ve served in since, I’ve never had a friendship like what I had with Deacon Scates.

For several weeks, I’ve been feeling homesick and lonely; couldn’t understand what was wrong till a few days ago. I miss having a special, unique friend in my life.

“God send me a special friend who values being single (as I do) as a gift from You, who is looking for someone like me that together we can share our passionate pursuit to know You more, and share our faith walk with You, with one another and others.” Amen.

December 14

Today (December 14, 2010) made 1 year at my current place of employment. On December 13, 2007, I became unemployed. And on December 14, 2009 I became employed with a salary and benefits that exceeded my former job.

God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.