Sandy knocked on her daughter’s open door. “Are you ready to go?”
Jemma sat on the window seat in her otherwise empty bedroom. “I guess so.”
Sandy frowned. “I thought you were excited to move. Are you having second thoughts?”
Jemma shrugged. “I’m just nervous about starting a new school.”
“That’s why we’re moving now, so you’ll be able to start the new school year with everyone else. There are two middle schools that funnel into the high school, so half the kids won’t know the other half. No one will even know you’re new.”
“But everyone else will know someone. What if I can’t make friends?”
Sandy leaned against the doorframe. “You’ve never had trouble making friends. The best way to make friends is to be a good friend.”
Jemma twisted her hands in her lap. “What does that even mean?”
“Well, think about you and Harper. You’ve been best friends for years. What do you like about her?”
Jemma bit her lower lip. “She’s fun to be with, she keeps my secrets, and she always makes time to talk to me. She’s also a great listener.”
Sandy smiled at her daughter. “Those are important qualities for a friend. So in order to make friends, try to be a good listener, keep secrets, and make time to talk to other people.”
Jemma grinned. “You forgot fun to be with.”
“Ah, but of course.” Sandy crossed the room and squeezed Jemma’s shoulder. “You, my dear, are always fun to be with.”
“You have to say that. You’re my mom.”
Sandy laughed. “Maybe. Come on. Help me get the last of our things in my car. Dad and Carter already left in Dad’s car. They’re following the moving van.”
Jemma hopped up from the window seat. “OK, Mom. But I’m still nervous.”
Sandy smoothed Jemma’s hair from her forehead. “You won’t be alone when you go to your new school. Jesus will be with you.”
“I know, Mom, but Jesus will not be my friend.”
“Of course He will. It says in the Bible Jesus calls us His friends.”
“How can Jesus be my friend?”
“He’s all the things you admired in Harper. He’s an amazing listener, He’s always there for you, and He’ll keep your secrets.”
“Oh, Mom. You forgot fun to be with again.”
“Jesus is fun to be with. People invited Him to a wedding, to their houses for dinner, and he had several close friendships. He even had a good sense of humor. I think if Jesus were here, we’d definitely want to be His friend.”
“But He’s not here.” Jemma picked up a box and carried it to the front of the house.
“He’s everywhere, Jemma. You’re never alone. And if you act like Jesus, you’ll have no trouble making friends.”
“As long as I don’t turn over the tables in the cafeteria.” Jemma’s eyes gleamed.
Sandy laughed. “No, I was thinking more like being humble, loving, patient, kind…”
Jemma turned toward Sandy. “So all I need to do is be like Jesus, and I’ll make friends?”
Sandy grabbed the last box, balanced it on her hip, and pulled open the front door. “Jesus doesn’t promise life will be easy. But if you treat people the way Jesus treated them, I don’t think you’ll have any problem making friends.”
Jemma took one last look inside the house before pulling the door closed. “I guess it’s time for the next chapter. Thanks, Mom.”
John 15:15
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.
God, it is so amazing that You call us Your friends. What a blessing! Help us remember You are always with us and always want to spend time with us. You tell us in Your word You delight over us with singing. You love when we talk to You, listen to You, and spend time with You. Thank you for being our friend!
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