I’m going to tell you three stories of my family, that all happened in New York:

1. There is a story I grew up hearing about my gramps and (I think) his cousins. They were in two separate cars following each other down the highway. The first car was cut off in traffic and pulled over, along with the car that cut them off. The second car sees them and pulls over also to “confront” the one that cut them off. As they were walking back to their car, they asked the guys from the first car why they beat up that guy (who knows what they meant by that). I kinda felt sorry for the guy, but I loved how they were there for each other, no questions asked.

2. When I was about 18ish, I had a beat up blue VW Beetle. I zipped all over with that thing, missing a piece of floorboard and all (New England Winters were fun). One day my sisters and I followed my parents to Long Island to see family, and I felt so cool and grown up. It was night when we left and I was trying really hard to keep up, when I noticed a cop drive pass, then slow down, get behind me and turn his lights on. As I was freaking out and pulling over, I saw my dad pulled over too. As the cop was coming to my car, my dad got out of his and asked why he pulled me over. After a short convo the cop left. I never will forget the comfort of knowing my dad had my back and I wasn’t alone.

3. On the day we buried my gramps, we were all in a long line of cars going to my Uncle’s house when a car started speeding up and slowing down alongside one of my sisters. At a stop light we see my sister get out of her car, because a guy got out of his car. There was yelling and arms flying. So, we all got out of our cars and walked to my sister. Seeing that my sister was not alone, he backed up and got in his car. Yep! That’s right, buddy, keep moving.

If you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us. Meanwhile, what is it with highways and getting out of cars??? We are a ride or die family. You can be born into a ride or die relationship, develop one over time or marry yours. Either way we all need to know that someone always has our back and will always be there for us.

In the Bible, David had a ride or die friend in Jonathan. Even though Jonathan was in line for the throne, he knew God’s hand was on David and there was no jealously or comparison. 1 Samuel 18:1 says: “After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David.” (NLT)

The bond that they shared would carry them through several attempts of Saul trying to kill David; Jonathan sticking up for him; a promise that David would always care for Jonathan’s family; being separated through circumstances and time. They both wanted the best for each other.

“Face (your friends) not fix your friends. Cultivate friendships that ask questions without shame or question.” ~ Lecrae

A ride or die friend is not afraid to go deep and keep asking the hard questions and help you navigate the problem and work towards a solution.

“They win by making you think you’re alone. We’re not.” ~ Star Wars

This may sound corny or super-religious but it’s true, so whatever...my ultimate ride or die friend is Jesus. Ever since that night many, many moons ago (I was 16ish) when I read John 15:15&16: “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

I remember feeling so alone and lonely that night and reading those words brought a hope and an excitement to me. Jesus chose me to be His friend. And not just any friend, but a friend that tells me things: secret things, fun things, hard things, life-changing things.

God’s love for us is based on nothing and that fact should make us secure. There is nothing we can say or do that will His garner love for us. There is nothing we can say or do to collapse His love us. We don’t have to be schlepping around with all the things we do for God. We can dance in the freedom of knowing that God’s love, for us, has nothing to do with us. Can I get an amen?!?

AND………

“Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?…And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35,38&39 (NLT)

YOU are LOVED! YOU are SEEN! YOU are NOT ALONE!

Have an amazing day!
All My Love ~
Jodi xoxo

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