“In friendship…we think we have chosen our
peers. In reality a few years’ difference in the dates of our births, a few
more miles between certain houses, the choice of one university instead of
another…the accident of a topic being raised or not raised at a first
meeting–any of these chances might have kept us apart. But, for a Christian,
there are, strictly speaking no chances. A secret master of ceremonies has been
at work. Christ, who said to the disciples, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have
chosen you,” can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “Ye have not
chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another.” The friendship is
not a reward for our discriminating and good taste in finding one another out.
It is the instrument by which God reveals to each of us the beauties of
others.” -C.S. Lewis
I
LOVE THAT QUOTE!!! And I couldn’t agree with it more than I do. I
believe that the people who come into our lives and become our friends doesn’t
just happen by accident. I believe that we are meant to meet one another
and impact one another’s lives for the better. When I look at the
circumstances that have brought so many of the important people into my life it
is so clear to me that there was divine powers at work bringing those people
into my path. That same thing applies to my husband and my children coming into
my life. I know they didn’t end up in my life just by accident or circumstance,
they were meant to be in my life and my in theirs.
That
is why I think it is so important to be aware of the people that come into your
life. Even those people you might think are just passing through…ask
yourself, “could there be more to why this person was brought into my life to
cross paths with me?” If you keep that mindset you will find yourself far
more aware as new people enter your surroundings. You will watch for and
notice those people far more and you will find yourself being far more
receptive to getting to know people and forming new friendships.
Today we hosted a dinner with Elder Arnold who is a good friend and last week Daniel and I have been participating in some really fun activities
together with the creation of the 100 stake in the Philippines. We have made a point to talk to any person around us in these
activities. The people around us this past week are total strangers to us from
many parts of the Philippines who would fall into the category of most likely
“passer-byers” but what if they aren’t? What if someone we meet this week is
meant to have far greater meaning in our lives. Wouldn’t it be a shame
then not to get to know them and form a friendship? And so we have all
been talking to strangers around us and already we have made friends with
several members. We may or may not see any of them ever again, and may
or may not be impactful in our lives in the future or we in theirs, but what if
they can and do? Wouldn’t it be worth having made the efforts to get to
know them just on the possibility alone? I believe it is. I have
seen how worth it it can be in our own life, both personally and
professionally. And without a doubt I believe that God is constantly
leading people into our path to bring out the beauty in each other.
I have decided to pay attention to the people coming into our path. Believe there
is a purpose for them being there…then set out to form a friendship that will
help bring that purpose to fruition. Hopefully some of those new friends.
Con amor,
Vero
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