Twelve years can fly by, and so many things can change.

This is the story of a true friendship that began in the living room of John and Kim. They agreed to host a small group for their church. As folks filtered in for that first meeting, one attendee stood out from the rest. She was “prim and proper,” as Kim remembers her, and the rest of the group – well, not so much. Kim felt that most likely, that would be the last they saw of this woman.

But apparently, they hadn’t scared her away at all. Nancy loved the group, and even more so, Nancy loved Kim. The two opposites became fast friends. Nancy was athletic – a tennis player and former runner. Kim kept fit by chasing grandkids and trying to maintain order in her home. While Nancy was “prim and proper,” Kim was more of a “Thank You, Jesus, I’m alive!” kind of girl. More important than their differences, though, was their commonality in an absolute passion for the Word of God.

This unlikely duo played together, approached the throne of grace together, laughed at their own crazy antics together, dove deep into Scripture together, and served the body of Christ together. At one point, the church presented them with the opportunity to love on a sweet but isolated shut-in couple, and they heartily accepted the challenge.

Bill and Mae probably weren’t sure what hit them when Kim and Nancy showed up! The committed duo faithfully delivered joy, laughter, and love to Bill and Mae on a regular basis. Their visits always included enjoying some sort of sweet treat and scads of crazy fun! Finally, they would conclude their time together with Bill taking out his Bible and reading 1Corinthians 11 before the little group would share in communion. John would occasionally join the girls in their visits to Bill and Mae. One Christmas Eve, he donned a Santa suit, and they surprised the little shut-in couple with gifts and a truckload of Christmas cheer.

Kim and Nancy managed to find joy in just about everything. On a visit to Home Depot, they were suddenly inspired to take their first selfie together. But they wanted a particular “look” for the photo – the “duck lips” made popular by the young, famous, and beautiful. They ran into a problem when they were laughing so hard, they couldn’t hold the phone still for a photo! (I’m wondering what the poor guy who wandered into Home Depot that day looking for a replacement flapper for his toilet thought of those two gals standing in the middle of the aisle, falling apart over their own hilarity. Bless his heart.)

Four years ago, Kim – and Nancy’s family – began to notice some mental hiccups. The situation was concerning enough that Nancy went in for an evaluation. The news was not good. Nancy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and it was a ruthless foe. Her deterioration was rapid. Her daughters eventually had to take her car from her and move her to their home city to better care for her.

Kim – ever the faithful friend – stays in touch with Nancy. They enjoy regular phone chats, during which Nancy repeats herself many times. She recounts in great detail events from her childhood. And of all the things she can remember, the girl knows her Bible.

Every so often, Kim will walk out to her mailbox to find a large envelope filled with all sizes of papers. Each paper has a Scripture printed on it that Nancy has taken the time to embellish, color, and mail to her faithful friend. Words and thoughts and ideas and dates and memories are slipping from Nancy’s mind, but the Word of God is not. In His mercy, God is just as real to Nancy as He’s ever been.

Twelve years can fly by, and so many things can change. But Kim and Nancy are a testament to two enduring gifts – deep, abiding, Christ-centered friendship and the staying power of the Word.

“All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” – Isaiah 40:6-8