Friendships are so special. It has been said that a friend is someone who truly knows you and still likes you! The friends I have the longest history with are the Syferts. 

My dad’s first time to preach in their 
home church in Indianapolis, Indiana was in the 50s. That evening, after the church service, Norm and Eileen Syfert invited my parents and my oldest sister, Pamela, over to their house for cake and coffee. The two families laughed and talked, and a lifetime friendship was born.

I grew up taking camping trips with the Syferts. They had four boys, and we went from Pogo sticks to fast cars in a hurry, with lots of laughing along the way.

When my wife gave birth to our daughter, Gabrielle, the Syfert’s daughter-in-law, Charlene, became a special aunt and a big part of Gabrielle’s life. When Gabrielle was four, Aunt Charlene started a tradition of baking Christmas cookies with her.

It was not until a few months before Eileen Syfert passed away that I actually knew the complete story about our family's connection. She shared,“I was very bashful years ago. But the Lord put it on my heart 
to invite the visiting pastor and his family to our home for cake and coffee after the service. I was out of my comfort zone, but I’m so glad I did it.”

You see, God always blesses when we are obedient to His calling. In this case, His blessing was a friendship that affected generations to come. I will soon smell Aunt Charlene and Gabrielle’s Christmas cookies baking in the oven, and it all began with a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.

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