My day started early today. Too early for my liking these days. Actually, it wasn't all that early - a 7:30 breakfast meeting - but the alarm sounds with a startling rudeness when the last look at the clock was 12:30 am. It was early.
And it was breakfast, but it wasn't really a meeting. Meetings usually have an agenda. This breakfast had no agenda. Eat some eggs and catch up on life. That's not an agenda. But it was early.
This morning at 7:30 I met my friend, Tom. It was the right way to start the day. Tom helps me forget that it's early. I laugh with Tom, sometimes at him. It's easy to be real with Tom; there's a certain safety that's - well, it's just safe.
Friends matter. I need my friends - all of them. Early or late, in meetings and over food, I need my friends. Friends like Tom. And friends like Tim who makes me laugh at... life and calls the best out of me. I need Tony, Rob, Butch, and Mark. I'm grateful for Jason, Blair, Bob, Mike and Rusty. These guys matter to me. They hold me up, serve beside me and call me forward.
Of course, when I think of friends, my wife, Laura tops the list. She's still my best friend. There's no one who helps me feel more safe, more empowered, more loved than she does. And, yes, she's my favorite research partner.
It's late now. I need to sign off. It'll be early in about 6 hours when the alarm intrudes on my slumber. At the close of this day, I'm grateful for so many friends who help me experience God's grace and joy.
I'm getting up early in the morning. I'll wake up thinkin' about friends. It's going to be a great day.
P.S. - some of my friends above are reading this wondering why their name appeared on such a "soft" post. Don't worry guys - no hugs.
