By Cindy Tuttle

Several years ago I was blessed when God sent a very special young lady into my life. I would often see her walking. One day I went out and talked to her. We talked while she was waiting for her mom to come from Bible study. As weeks went on, a new friendship formed. Each week I would invite her to our Wednesday night dinner and Bible study. She came, and from that moment on, a beautiful friendship began. 

A Growing Friendship

She often texted or called me. Our friendship was built on love, trust, laughter, and even some tears. As time went on, she developed a strong passion to follow her heavenly Father. After working through hours of Bible study, she talked to my husband and asked to be baptized and to live fully for Jesus. 

Her years had seen a lot of heartache and rejection. But through it all she knew that there was one who loved her and accepted her. So she went down into the water and rose up with a huge smile on her face. She was loved unconditionally by her heavenly Father. When she could not be at church due to headaches, I could always bank on getting a text from her, and I would pray. 

On a Monday morning in June, I received a call that my dear friend had walked into the arms of Jesus. I cried because life was just starting to come together for her. However, she was now feeling that glorious peace only God could give her. She was now understanding the fullness of her heavenly Father’s true love. 

A Changed Heart

God uses others to change us. My phone doesn’t ring with those familiar messages that brought such a smile to my face. But my life will forever be different because of the few years that God blessed me with my friend. 

God taught me how to treat others the day he brought my special friend into my life. He showed me how to live as one of his own, how to step out of my comfort zone, and, more than anything, how to show God’s love. In the process I was given more than I gave.

Cindy Tuttle has served the church and her community in Southeastern Ohio for 25 years. She and her husband, Rob, currently minister with the Lowell Christian Church in Lowell, Ohio. They have two adult children,
Kelsie and Ryan.