Best Friend Blues… at 42???

I’ve never really been one to need a ‘best friend.’ Don’t get me wrong, I love having a best friend… or at least a really good friend. Who doesn’t want a close confidant that not only will listen to you and ‘be there’ for you… but actually desires to help shoulder your burdens and carry your load?

Back in Indiana, before moving to California to plant Impact Community Church, I had a best friend… Tommy Featheringill. We became really close because of the time we spent serving together in youth ministry. Seems like we were doing ministry at least 2-4 days a week. There is nothing like serving to bring you close to someone.

Tommy and his family visited me and my wife this past Father’s Day weekend. It was just like old times… like we had never been a part for the past 9 years. We laughed, played, swam, and caught up on old times. We dreamed and envisioned what ministry could be like. It was extremely satisfying.

But then he got on a plane Sunday. His departure time got moved up and I couldn’t even drive him to the airport as planned. So we said a 30 second goodbye in the foyer of the church. A piece of me broke Sunday. I’m not depressed and I’m not in a place where I can’t function. I’m just really bummed. Really, really bummed. Cause I feel like I lost my best friend all over again. Praise God that we have a Friend who sticks closer than a brother, Proverbs 18:24.