Darlene Franklin

Friends. What would I do without them?

A friend at work told me the other day that I'm always smiling.

"Really?" I asked. Surely my face has reflected the constant weight on my spirit.

"Yes!"

What a blessing. If I'm smiling, it's God smiling in me, His abundant goodness and joy showing through. I can't say I've felt it. I don't know if Kathleen knows how much she affirmed by complimenting my smile.

Last night, a friend from our old church called. Like Joni Woelfel, who wrote to say she was praying for us over the holiday, Nancy asked how we had fared over the weekend.

Nancy lost a child twelve years ago. She knows how hard holidays can be. We talked for a long thirty minutes, ending our conversation with a celebration of God's goodness.

Nancy and Kathleen aren't the only ones. If I tried to name them all, I would leave someone out.

But just know every time you take the time to call, or write a card, or post a message (waving at Mary!), you make our days easier. Your prayers are the power that keep us moving forward.