Here in north England, my British grandchildren spent the day with their two grandmas, Katy’s mum Dandy (i.e. Sarah) and Hans’ mom MeeMee (i.e. me). Each year we grannies excitedly anticipate this day with our shared little ones even more than they look forward to being with us. Although we began our tradition to give their mummy some free time, now Sarah and I would get together regardless.

We hiked country trails, dashed under leafy trees during two cloudbursts, made friends with a mama cow and her baby, learned to step around fresh “cow pats” and gathered woodsy treasures in over-the-shoulder bags.

Later, back in Sarah’s kitchen, we group-baked “cow pat biscuits” (widely-spreading oat cookies), consistent with our country theme.

As much fun as it is to share a day with our little ones, what Sarah and I anticipate most is our annual chat during their afternoon rest time. Today, after making a fresh pot of coffee and settling in at her large kitchen table, we caught up on a year’s worth of changes in both our families. Between her 5 children and my 7, we had more to share than one quiet time for grandchildren allowed.

Christian friendship is one of God’s most precious gifts, and he leads us into relationships in the most unusual ways. Although Sarah and I met only recently (2006) and see each other only annually, we’ve come into a special appreciation of each other. One of the reasons for that is that God is always working on a hidden agenda when he brings two people together as friends.

As usual, he wants to pour his wisdom into us, and friendship is an excellent place for him to do it. For example, today as I was sharing about a recent personal challenge, I broke down and cried. Though I don’t often weep around others, somewhere my subconscious knew Sarah’s lavish compassion would be ok with that.

Her response was nourishing, and our honest back-and-forth continued through the afternoon. God was demonstrating for me, through Sarah, how he wants me to respond to others with that same kind of compassion. And what better way to learn it than from a good friend?

Through friendship God also wants to teach us how to encourage each other. Today Sarah offered loving support to me, and I hope I did to her. In addition, he wants us to challenge each other with the truth, to stick by each other in times of tension, and to offer the counsel he gives us to pass along to one another. And he’s hoping we’ll learn all this within friendships.

As for the little people in our charge today? Though they are our precious grands, year to year, they are also becoming our friends.

“When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours.” (Romans 1:12)