"When God gives you a best friend, amazing things start to happen. You've been gifted with this other person to help fill up your days with light. Your life becomes that much better, that much richer. You have this amazing bond you didn't realize was possible until that person came into your life. And each best friend brings new meaning and new perspective."

I am quite certain that God has made us to be in relationships. It all started with Adam and Eve--God put them together to love and care for one another and the earth, and to be in relationship with him. He so desperately wants to know each of us, and for us to know him as well. God sent his son to show us how he wanted us to love each other. He did not send Jesus to show us an example of a devoted husband, or a loving father. Jesus was a BFF to a ragtag group of disciples, whom he loved with all his heart. We are meant to be in relationship with each other in deep and meaningful ways, and that is what a church community is about too. I believe that God puts us in the path of people who will help form us and help us grow into his deepest desires for our lives.

So roughly nine years ago, God (and fpcw) sent me on a plane to New York City! An adventure in the Big Apple! I had the privilege to hear the very first of what would be many amazing sermons from this vibrant young woman with red curly hair. She had an infectious smile, a big heart and an authenticity that was so appealing. It was abundantly clear that she would bring to fpcw so many new and exciting gifts. I did not know then that she would also become a BFF that God put in my path, to love and be loved.

I think one of the ways God helps us to be in relationships is through our stories. Luckily, you too have gotten to know Pastor Erin through her many stories and sermons. You know that she loves basketball, that she is a fierce tiger mama, that she has a heart big enough for Malawians, refugees and the homeless. You know that she has a deep abiding love for her husband, is adored by her mom and dad, and loves her Granny with a red cowboy boot tattoo. That she has climbed mountains, lived in Africa, is the craziest one on work trips, is highly competitive, and is worried she may someday say a swear word in a sermon. You know her friendship and love as a pastor because she has shared with you fully who she is through her story. One of authenticity, kindness, vulnerability, boldness, and faithfulness. She has show us how God intended us to be in relationship with one another, to love each other like Jesus loved and cherished his disciples, with all our warts and shortcomings.

God gifted us with friendship. Of course, we love our family, our mothers/fathers, our siblings, our children. But in friends, God gives us people who are not just like us, but may look different, are in different ages and stages, and have different backgrounds. He puts people in our path to teach us the way of Jesus. To love one another, to be accepting of our differences, and to understand one another through our stories. Erin has been my BFF and a gift that God has given me. I will miss her as a coworker and as my pastor, beyond what words can express. But I am so happy for her next adventure and so excited that a whole new congregation will know her stories, and her love for God and for each other. Who has God put in your path to love and cherish? Thanks God for them today.

Boundless blessings in Christ Jesus,

Sue Sklansky