God's Gift of Friendship

This is morning fog looming over Pine Mountain, Kentucky. Last week I joined two old friends for vacation in the mountains of East Kentucky. We played golf courses along the Kentucky Golf Trail. I had forgotten how beautiful East Kentucky is with her mountains, coal, and people. My mother's side of the family is from East Kentucky. In many ways I was reconnecting with the land of my people. The mountains and hollers get in your blood.

It was a trip with spectacular views and vistas. Breathtaking turns through the mountains revealed steep hills and valley's drenched with sunshine, pine trees and low clouds. An occasional railroad coal chute and loaded coal trucks on the mountain parkway reminded me that this land is a huge natural resource. Coal is king in East Kentucky. In fact, one of the golf courses was built on a reclaimed mine. Talk about ingenuity and environmental preservation. It was one of the most beautiful courses I've ever played. The picture of my friends, Chuck and Tim was taken on that golf course.

The views were amazing and breathtaking, but they weren't the whole story. The story was an opportunity to join two old friends who share an unconditional love for one another. There's something about being with people who trust each other explicitly and genuinely enjoy one another's company. The time is marked by much laughter, smiles and the knowledge that you can relax and be yourself. You are free to agree or disagree in conversation. And our individual quirks aren't a source of contention, but a simple reminder that God chose to bring three very different people together to encourage, help, love and enjoy one another. If friendship is not God's greatest gift it is indeed near the top of the list. At one point on the course I was overcome with this gift while driving alone in my golf cart. After a few tears I mustered the only appropriate words for such a moment, "Thank you Father, for this time and these friends." Those coal trucks were loaded with a valuable and precious resource, but none more than the moments and experiences shared with good friends.

Thanks Chuck and Tim for the golf, but more importantly for the time together. God's best to you both!