A Friendship God Planned

By Charlotte Ishkanian

Friendship is wonderful, isn’t it? Friends help us feel loved and not alone. They remind us that someone cares about us. When you’re sad, scared, or happy, a friend is someone you can share it with. Good friendships bring us joy and help us grow, too. In this story teenagers Rose Houghton and Moriah Ludwig share how their friendship began.

Rose: My mom went to an academy in Michigan and loved it, so when I was in eighth grade, my mom and I drove to the school to visit for the weekend. I stayed with one of the girls in the dorm. She and my brother grew up together, so I knew her. One night when she was busy, she took me to the room of a girl named Moriah. I didn’t know very many people, but Moriah seemed nice. When she asked Moriah if I could be in her room for a bit, Moriah said, “Sure! The more the merrier!” I knew I would like her!

Moriah: When I came to the academy last year, I struggled adjusting during the first few months and didn’t make friends until the end of the first semester. Around November I finally branched out. When April came around, one of our staff asked me if I would like to have a girl stay with me for Academy Days. I said no at first. Why do I need to get to know someone again? It’s just too hard, I thought. I was shy and not very outgoing, but one of the staff said my smile brightened everyone’s day. I prayed about it, felt better, then went to the staff member’s office and asked if there were any girls left. She told me I was an answer to her prayer! She needed one more host for a visitor. I was prepared then, when my friend Lauren asked me to hang out with Rose for a little while. 

Rose: When I started school, I saw Moriah again. She was kind to me, but I didn’t remember her as the person I stayed with for a little bit. We became friends, and one day we finally remembered where we met for the first time! We’ve grown so much in our friendship since then, and we’ve helped each other grow in our walk with God. She’s been there for me and made every day just a little brighter. 

Moriah: This past school year Rose has meant the world to me. We’ve gone through long music tours and many other events together; we’ve had late-night talks and random hallway chats. This year I started Freshman Friday, a small group in which any ninth-grade girl can hang out in my room after vespers. We talk about our week, read devotionals, sing songs, and drink tea. I cannot wait to see how the Lord leads us next year! Friends like Rose are the reason I love my school. She’s truly a light for Jesus. I hope that all of you will make at least one friend as I did—one that will cherish you and help you grow in your relationship with Christ.

Rose and Moriah attend Great Lakes Adventist Academy in Michigan. This school year, Rose is a sophomore from Burleson, Texas; Moriah is a senior from Sagola, Michigan.