The Gift of Friendship: From the ICBA Gala, Unscripted Faith TV to Sirloin & Bulldozer

Sometimes God answers our prayers for community by placing people in our path we never expected to call friends. I went to the International Christian Book Awards Gala celebrating books, authors, and the stories God has allowed us to tell. I didn't realize I would leave with something just as precious as an award. Friendship.

There is something beautiful about meeting people who understand what it means to pour your heart into a story and then discover they become more than colleagues. They become encouragers. Cheerleaders. Prayer partners. Friends.

And sometimes, they become people like Traci who say, "Everyone needs to know about this book tour!"

Friends Who Cheer You On

One of the greatest gifts of friendship is having someone who believes in what God has placed inside of you. I've experienced that recently through friends I've met through the book world. They don't simply say, "Congratulations." They help spread the word. They announce the book tour, share the posts, reach out to get you booked for a TV show, and celebrate the books.

They tell others about the message, and sometimes, their enthusiasm reminds us of something we forget: We were never meant to carry our calling alone.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says: "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow."

That verse takes on new meaning when you experience it. A friend doesn't necessarily take the work away. A friend helps you keep going, reminds you that what you're doing matters, and celebrates the victories you might otherwise overlook. And sometimes a friend simply says, "I've got you."

Friendship Doesn't Always Look Like We Expect

One of my favorite reminders of this came through an unexpected friendship. I spent time with a friend, Ellen, who creates cow and chicken videos. Yes. Cow and chicken videos. And somehow, it was wonderful.

There is something refreshing about friendships that allow us to step outside our usual worlds. We don't always have to talk about books, publishing, awards, speaking engagements, or the next thing on our calendars.

Sometimes we just need to laugh. Sometimes we need to slow down.We need to spend time with someone who sees the joy in things other people might overlook. And sometimes...we need to meet cows. My favorite cows, specifically. Sirloin and Bulldozer.

Yes, I finally got to meet them! And if you know me, you know that made the day even more special. Something wonderfully simple about that experience. No stage. No microphone. No award ceremony. No book promotion. Just friendship, laughter, animals, and a memorable day.  I found myself thinking about how often God brings joy into our lives through the simplest things.

God Uses People to Remind Us We're Not Alone

When we think about God's blessings, we often think about the big things: The open door, the award, the answered prayer, or the new opportunity. Yet sometimes the blessing is sitting beside you laughing, the person sharing your post, the friend announcing to a ladies' Bible study group that you are on a book tour before you even have a chance to think about it. Sometimes it is the unexpected friendship formed at a gala or standing next to a cow named Sirloin.

God has a wonderful sense of humor, and He also has a wonderful way of reminding us that life is meant to be shared.

Proverbs 17:17 says: "A friend loves at all times."

Not only when things are going well, like when the book wins an award or social media numbers are good. Not only when the journey is exciting. At all times. True friendship shows up, encourages, celebrates, listens, and makes room for laughter. True friendship can become one of the ways God demonstrates His love to us.

From the Gala to the Pasture

When I look back at the ICBA Gala, I am grateful for the recognition and celebration surrounding the book, Joy Overcame Sorrow. I am even more grateful for the relationships of friendship. Because awards have a moment. Books have a launch. Tours have an ending. But friendship can become part of the journey.

The people we meet along the way can become part of our story. Some friendships may help us professionally. Others may encourage us spiritually. Some may introduce us to new opportunities and visit Cornerstone Network TV with you for the interview. Others may simply make us laugh. And some may take us to meet Sirloin and Bulldozer.

I'll take all of them. Because every one of those friendships is a reminder that God doesn't simply call us to accomplish things. He calls us to love people along the way.

Jesus said in John 15:12: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

Perhaps friendship is one of the places where that command becomes tangible.

A text, a phone call, a shared laugh, a social media post, a "I'm proud of you," a "How can I help?", a "Tell me about your book, " and an "I'll share your tour dates." Or even..."Come meet my cows."

The People God Places Along the Journey

As I continue this season of writing, speaking, traveling, and sharing stories about hope after loss, I'm learning to treasure the people God places along the way. Some people will open doors. Some will hold doors open. Some will walk through them with us and some will simply stand beside us and remind us to enjoy the journey.

I believe they can all be gifts. So today, I'm grateful. Grateful for the friendships born at the ICBA Gala. I am grateful to the friends who promote my books and announce my book tour. Grateful for the friends who believe in the message behind the stories. Grateful for the unexpected friendships that bring laughter and joy. And grateful for the unforgettable opportunity to meet two very special cows: Sirloin and Bulldozer.

Because sometimes the sweetest moments in life aren't found on a stage. They're found in the relationships God gives us. And maybe that's the lesson I want to carry forward: Don't just celebrate the milestones. Celebrate the people who walked with you to reach them.

Because at the end of the journey, we may remember the award... We may remember the book tour... We may remember the photographs...But we will also remember who stood beside us, cheered us on, laughed with us, and made the journey joyful.

"A friend loves at all times." — Proverbs 17:17. And for that, I am deeply grateful.

Here's to friendship, faith, unexpected laughter, and the beautiful people and cows God places in our path. ❤️ Keep walking. Keep writing. Keep believing. And don't forget to enjoy the journey.