FRIENDS by Michael W Smith

This song always makes me think of the MWS concert I went to in 1987 or 88, sitting down the row from a friend who was leaving soon to follow a dream as I was left behind in Columbia to follow mine. All the people who were with me in Navigators back then on the leadership team were special to me in my heart, some more than others as I shared some very deep hurts with them the summer of 1987. They protected me, loved me, nurtured me, and helped me return to normal with their prayers and actions. I always remember them in my times I think about college and how God did amazing things when we were there. We taught Bible studies we didn't know we could do, went through trials that seemed impossible, and had incredible card parties (I was the head Gahuna 1 time, Scott! And I remember it!). We prayed for each other and our families. When some of us got together in the KC area in 1999, it was so fun to hear answered prayers decades later of families that came to Christ (like the Urban-renewal project of Tony Urban), and to see the children some of the relationships had brought forth. I was missing the ones most close to my heart, but to see our "offspring" was awesome as well. Healing took place as I shared what some didn't know about me. We all went our ways again, but I hope we can get together this side of heaven at least 1 more time before we are raptured or the Lord returns to share again what our Lord and Saviour has done in our lives in the last 10 years or more.