Minus the "thees" and "thous"

I was driving home the other day and talking to my "Passenger". You know, stuff like: "Lord, did you see that idiot run that light? Oh, I guess you did, being God and all that" As I was driving I started to think about my besties, R (my banana split buddy) and Smiley (my work buddy...yeah...that's right...ummm..."work"). I thought about all the time I spend with them and all the stuff we talk about. Then a nasty little condemning thought snuck into my head: I am a terrible pray-er.

I decided to mention it to God. "Ummm...God. I'm a terrible pray-er. I'm really sorry but I just don't know how to do a better job of it."  I sort of got the feeling that Jesus was wanting me to clarify a little better. "Well you see, I don't seem to spend as much time with you as I should and I just wish I could talk with you the way I talk with my friends. I tell them all sorts of stuff. I'm just not very good at saying Prayers."
I had a feeling that Jesus was trying to suppress a slightly smug smile at the corner of his lips. In fact, I think I might have just about heard Him say something like: "And what is it you think you've been doing all this time while we were driving home together just now?"
"Huh? But...that doesn't count!"
"Why not?"
"Because it's not 'Proper' praying."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I don't seem to be good at the whole Praise and Worship thing."
Then I think I might have imagined that Jesus could possibly have done this:

"Ummm...Jesus, did you just FACE PALM me?????"
To which Jesus probably replied: "Yup. I think I did."
I think I was starting to understand what He was trying to get at. I looked up and noticed the sun peeping out from behind a really fluffy cloud. "Oooooh, look at that Lord. Isn't that pretty!"
"Thanks. I thought so when I made it"
"You really are a very talented Artist!"
And I think Jesus might have had a sparkle in His eye and possibly said something like: "You know...I really do love you

BFFs

I read an article online about Oprah and her bestie, Gayle King. With all the wild rumours surrounding their friendship, I was curious to learn how they themselves viewed their bond.  Oprah's an up front sort of person and I believe her when she says there's nothing dodgy going on between them.  It's not a relationship that's easy to define but it does seem to be something really special and well worth hanging onto. I have to say that I got goosebumps reading it. A friendship like theirs must be one in a million and to have the priviledge of a wholesome, intimate love like theirs isn't to be taken for granted.  It's a long article but worth reading if you're interested in finding out more about how these two women define themselves although that said, I wonder why on earth they should need to. Take a look if you like: Gayle King and Oprah Uncensored I especially like this comment from the interviewer, Lisa Kogan: "People ache for a connection...They want someone who doesn't have an agenda, doesn't see you filtered through the prism of their own needs." Profound, eh?

Love like this doesn't come by every day.

Apparantly Oprah and Gayle speak at least 4 - 5 times every single day. If they haven't had the chance to contact each other then the day just doesn't feel right to them.  I'm also lucky enough have a special friend or two that touch base with me daily, whether it's a text, an e-mail, on Facebook...the day just wouldn't seem right if I hadn't heard from them. Sometimes when I receive a text from an extra special friend, a smile creeps across my face as I look forward to reading what they have to say. Even if they're just telling me what they're having for lunch, I just can't help grinning no matter how discreet I try to be with my phone on vibrate. Anyone who's fallen in love with Jesus can probably see the similarity in their walk with Him and these special friendships. Things just don't feel right if we haven't been in touch with the Best Friend we can ever have. Apart from filling a very basic need to be loved, I think God gives us close companionship with others to offer us a glimpse of how to love Him.  And I like to think that when Jesus gets a "message alert" from me, He might get that same smile on his face.  He adores me more than I can ever know and is hoping to hear from me, even if it is just a silly little story about my day. I think He's itching to reply to me and tell me about His plans too.

Hey Jesus? It's just me. How're You doing? Want to hear about my day?

I'm a hopeless pray-er. I hear people talk about spending an hour in the mornings praying and reading the Bible, wearing out their carpet with their knee caps and I'm afraid I'm just not in their league. Organising a Quiet Time in my house is Mission Impossible sometimes but I can and certainly do manage to keep in touch with my Majestical Bestie at regular intervals throughout the day.  Sometimes I get tongue-tied and can't even form complete sentences (that happens with my earthly friends too). But God has no agenda with me. He doesn't have any needs. He just loves me and enjoys it when I come into His presence - even when I'm making no sense at all.

So Lord, you are my very best, most intimate BFF. Any day without You in it just wouldn't be living, it would simply be existence. And if I should have the privilege of loving another person the way Gayle loves Oprah, then I'll embrace it and understand it as a tangible example of loving You.

Sometimes there's nothing quite like a hug from the One who loves me most