“You are who you hang out with.” This is something my Dad drilled into the heads of my brother and I when we were growing up. I never paid that much attention to it when I was young, but now, as an adult, I see the importance of quality over quantity when it comes to the friends you have.

My family started attending church in July of 2021. Like most people at that time, I was starving for friends. During COVID, our already small circle of friends decreased even more due to the lockdowns. On top of that, I didn’t need just ‘friends.’ I needed people who would accept us and love us and our daughter like their own; people who wouldn’t leave when things get messy. I remember praying that very prayer on our way to church for the first time. It wasn’t long before God gave me a glimpse of what He had in store for us—quite literally an hour later. My mom and I were picking up my daughter, Allison, from the Kinders class and I saw someone who I had known from growing up in southern Illinois but had not seen in almost 20 years—Sandy Bowersox. When she saw my mom, she called her “Aunt Cindy” and gave us each the biggest hugs. From that moment, I knew we were where God wanted our roots to grow.

Soon after, I felt God leading me to start serving. I signed up to serve doughnuts back when we were still holding services at Old National Events Plaza. I said “yes” to serve wherever I was needed. Before long, my husband, Korey, and Allison started serving with me. Shortly thereafter, we got invited to a small group. Korey and I ended up taking the Rooted class and eventually led a table for Rooted.

Over the course of two years, every time we said “yes” to something God asked of us, we found that our circle grew a little more. Even better, it didn’t grow with just people who say they will be there, but with people who brought us dinners when my dad had open heart surgery. It grew with people who brought a huge teddy bear and prayed over Allison when she had her tonsils removed. We found best friends and I have sisters in women that I didn’t even know before 2021. These are women that I pray for and they pray for me every day.

When I think about what God did for me, I am reminded of two stories in the Bible. Each of these stories show the power of friendship.

Exodus 17:8-13: During a battle against the Amalekites, the Israelites’ success depended on Moses keeping his staff held over his head. Eventually Moses’ arms grew tired and he couldn’t do it by himself. Two of his trusted companions, Aaron and Hur, found a rock for him to sit on, and each supported an arm.

Luke 5:17-20: A man who was paralyzed was brought to Jesus by his friends, but seeing that the crowd was too large, they took the man to the roof of the building. There, they made a hole and lowered him down. Scripture tells us that Jesus, seeing their faith, healed the man.

Through His guidance and our obedience to His Word our lives changed for the better. I would like to leave you with a few final thoughts:

1) Listen for God’s instructions. Have the courage to say “Here I am, send me” and watch Him work.

2) When God puts someone specific in your life, be there for them just as much as they are for you. Pray with them and for them every day. I encourage you to share the hard and ugly parts of your life. It’s ok to give them the long version of your day.

3) Give thanks every day for the people God has put in your life. God-given community and friendships are reflections of how much God loves you.