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“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

When I was little, my parents had a few turtles that they set loose in the yard, and I loved going out there to play with their babies. Turtles are funny little animals, as they don’t do much to catch one’s attention, and will even hide their faces when faced with too much attention from those around them. Nonetheless, I loved playing with them.

Sometimes, when I would hold one of the little turtles, I would notice their little eyes would kind of blink slowly and their little mouths would open and close, as if in a yawn. I never really understood if that was a common thing that turtles did; if I was too boring for them, or if they were just tired of being treated as dolls.

Forget the baby turtles for a moment. I have this tendency (habit) of finding nicknames or “pet names” for my friends. If you are someone I really care about and interact a lot with, chances are I have already been calling you by something other than your birth name. One of these lucky people is named Romana Balarini, my prayer partner. Romana comes from way-back-when in my life, like Kindergarten days. In our late prayer nights, I find that my good friend sometimes reminds me of those baby turtles, as her eyes begin to blink slowly and her mouth flings wide open during prayer after a long work day. So, because of the coincidences mentioned here, I have nicknamed Romana “my little turtle.”

And I thank God daily for that little turtle named Romana. She has been a wind beneath my wings, prayer partner, accountability partner, sister, counselor, and above all, close friend without whom I would probably have had a hard time overcoming some of life’s hurdles. When I need her, I know exactly where to find her and the same goes for her regarding me. Whatever the name by which you call your best girlfriends, make sure you keep them close and give them all the love they deserve. Nurture that friendship and love. Good friendships are blessings from God and must be kept close.

“Lord, thank You for every friend You have placed in my life.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life