My dear friends

I remember way back in the early days of Facebook, I created an account and sent my children friend requests, just because I thought it would amuse them that 'Mum was on FB'! Then a few friend requests were received … and I've remained on FB ever since. I must admit that I am a bit selective about who I invite/accept as my 'friends'. I get so many requests from people who I have never heard of! Recently, there have been a lot more requests than normal and this morning I was scrolling through and I spotted someone who I met recently in Sri Lanka. So I clicked on 'confirm' and a message flashed up to say that it wasn't possible because this person had reached the maximum number of 5,000 friends … 5,000 friends … who has 5,000 friends? Can this person know or even remember who these 5,000 'friends' are?

Many of us go through life, and may be blessed with one or two proper friends...those who have a history with us and stick with us through thick and thin. Those who don't get offended if you are too busy to call and you know that when you do, it is like you were speaking just yesterday.

We may have a lot of acquaintances, people we know and love, people we get on well with, people we really like, people … who may well become some of our closest friends.

I remember Chris' grandma once telling me (she lived well into her 90s) that one of the saddest things about living a long life was crossing out the names in her address book as one by one her friends passed away. We live amongst a lot of people who have crossed out names in their address books! Many of them are not only living on their own but are now living with the loneliness of isolation. They've lived through depression, war and nuclear threats. They've seen the worst and best of life.  Yesterday on morning TV, Harry Billinge (war veteran) was interviewed online. What an inspiration that man is! Now 94years old, his stoic war-time spirit was as evident as ever. There he was, not a complaint in sight and counting his many blessings.

We can't all be a Harry Billing and that is because each one of us is unique, wonderfully formed by God. We are all dealing with this Covid crisis in our own way. There isn't a right or wrong. But one thing is sure and that is that we are all in this together. So stay safe, my friends, look after each other in the best way you can and remember that each one of you is special and loved beyond measure by Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders
and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

Hebrews 12:1