We’ve turned the page of Chapter ’11 of our life story and we’ve begun writing the first pages of Chapter ’12. Even at the beginning of a new year our lives are a mix of messiness and heroism, fear and hope, cringing and courage. We struggle against our weakness and exercise our strengths with the power that God gives us.

We’ll finish Touchstone’s 28th year in six months and I am more convinced than ever of Jesus’ friendship on our journey. I’ve used the prayer of friendship below for many years and it expresses my hope for our loosely connected circles of friendship.

Prayer for Today-Friendship

Beauty of friendship grow between us
Friendship
without guile
without malice
without striving.

Goodness of friendship grow between us
Friendship
with light
with wings
with soul sharing.

Be in the eye of each friend
of my journey
to bless and teach each one.

The eye of the Father be upon us
The eye of the Son be upon us
The eye of the Spirit be upon us
The eye of the Friendly Three
Be upon us forever.

(From Celtic Blessings Ray Simpson, Loyola Press by permission of the author)