The Friend I Didn't Know I Needed

 10.20.25

Whenever anyone new comes to church, 

Tamara, the music minister, keeps an ear out for musical talent. 

A few years ago, someone showed up who had it. 

Not only did she sing, but she played the piano. 

I think maybe this made me jealous? 

Or maybe it made me think of the diva musician stereotype—

Someone who thought they were wonderful and deserved to be treated as such?

I don’t know what it was, 

But I remember having a weird hesitation to Jana joining the choir. 

But I was so very, very wrong to hesitate. 

Jana is totally not an arrogant diva. 

She is humble, down to earth, fun, funny, super talented, and has a great sense of style. 

She’s a cancer nurse by day 

And a wife, mother, friend, activist, traveler, musical enthusiast, beautiful soul by night.

She makes me laugh in choir practice more often than not, 

She plays piano beautifully, 

She sings alto confidently, 

And she simply encourages me to be a better person. 

On Saturday, 

Jana and her husband Shawn coordinated the church yard sale. 

Jana grew up antiquing and yard sale-ing,

So she thought that a church yard sale would be a good thing not only raise some money for the church but also to bring the community in. 

She was right. 

We raised a bit of money, yes. 

But more importantly we visited with a lot of people and 

Welcomed them with both literal and figurative open arms. 

Jana is a friend and cheerleader I didn’t know the church or me needed. 

And I am so very thankful. 

Oh God. 

Thank you for bringing people into our lives when we least expect them

And thank you  for allowing them to change our lives for the better. 

Forgive us when we prematurely judge and help us to overcome those judgments to see good. 

For you are good, and goodness abounds. 

Amen.