Column Post by Lisa Easterling
This is my confession: I’m having an affair with my best friend. The truth is, it’s a pretty deep relationship we’ve been building for several years now, and we spent this past weekend celebrating it.
You have to understand why I would be so deeply involved with him. He isn’t just an ordinary best friend. He is charming, understanding, selfless, giving, and besides being downright good-looking he’s the most Christ-like man I’ve ever known.
And the truth is, he’s the most amazing best friend I’ve ever had. He has never turned on me, never betrayed my trust, never given me any reason to doubt his love. And I say this knowing few will believe it (oh, the looks I get when I say it in person)…he has never spoken an unkind word to me. Ever.
My husband rolls his eyes when I talk about how amazing my best friend is. He says no person can be as awesome as I describe my BFF to be. I just shrug and say he can believe what he wants; I know the truth.
My husband knows the truth, too. About everything. And he won’t change it.
This man who has stolen my heart has shown me for years now what it means to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, to give sacrificially of oneself, to keep pushing far past one’s own limits when it means someone else’s good is put first. I’ve seen him tired, disillusioned, saddened by loss, and angered by injustice, and through it all he has remained steady and strong.
I’ve seen him lay it all down to answer God’s call, and I’ve seen him swallow hard and blink and look away when the rumors flew about what a dumb move it was. But I knew his heart. I knew the why behind his decisions. And I knew God’s calling and the goal of reaching people with Jesus’ love was more important to him than his own comfort—or even his good reputation.
Can I beg some small measure of empathy? What woman wouldn’t fall in love with such a man?
The fun we had this past weekend has me longing for our next moments together. Many of our moments have been stolen ones, finding time and opportunity to see one another, meeting whenever and wherever we could manage it.
We each have commitments to keep, but no matter what happens in life one of our highest commitments is to one another. People whisper about us, but we assume they just don’t understand.
And next July when we plan our special celebration we will hold one another close and thank God for another beautiful year of marriage for two best friends crazy in love, another year of stealing every possible moment to sneak off and embrace, every wink and kiss, every glance across a room through eyes twinkling with mischief and promise.
What a wild and wonderful affair this is. I thank God for it, and pray it never ends.
P.S. We’d love to know your thoughts, so please be sure to comment below. Each of our commenters will be entered in a drawing for this month’s FREE book giveaway, Mothers & Daughters: Mending a Strained Relationship by author Teena Stewart.
Lisa Easterling is a lifelong resident of the Tampa Bay area alongside her husband Steve, five children, and two grandchildren. A pioneer for home education in Florida, she has served in various areas of Christian ministry for the past 32 years. Lisa is a lifelong writer, editor, creative writing coach, and Site Director for Write Where It Hurts. Her favorite place to write is near the ocean, and she particularly loves helping others to fall in love with words. Lisa blogs at www.lisaeasterling.com and can be reached by following @writepraylove on Twitter or emailing blue@lisaeasterling.com.
Read more encouraging stories from brave-hearted women here. Be sure to grab your free copy of inspirational quotes and writing prompts while you’re there. (Look over on the right hand side!)
This is the most beautiful post about marriage I have ever read. Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Wow, thank you, Aj! It is a joy I can’t quite word being bonded to my best friend this way. I adore that man, and I know like I know very few things in this life that he loves me unconditionally. All, grace, all gift.