Giving Thanks for My Forever Friends

November 2, 2024

planksgiving devotional #1: giving thanks for my forever friends

There are so many things to be thankful for, but one thing is my friends! Friends are a blessing, a special gift from God. God knew we would need close women connections on this journey. In 2021, the Lord moved one of my besties away to another state. She was more than just a friend! She was my co-instructor and like a sister to me! And then, two more of my dear friends moved out of state, too. It was a difficult time for me, struggling with these losses of those so dear to me not being near me anymore. Modern technology helps with texts and video calls, but it was not the same. Face to face connection; to see their eyes and smiles! Oh, how I missed that!

Jesus, my Savior and friend, reminded me that He calls us ‘His’ friends and we can rely on Him in that way. A song by Cain puts it like this, “I have found a friend in Jesus! He is everything to me!” My class dynamic has changed now that I am a solo instructor. The Lord has given me new confidence as a leader and showed me that He really is the giver of hope. He is trustworthy and He has taught me to say like Paul in Philippians 4:11b, “… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” He is the sustainer and giver of these relationships, and He continues to keep me connected with my besties on a new level!

I thank God that he is intimately involved in all my circumstances and knows what good he will bring out of each thing that happens! Now I (we) can say with the Psalmist, “GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD! HIS LOVE ENDURES FOREVER!”

by Rita Rabideau, Edison, NJ
Body & Soul® Spiritual Impact Team

Body and Soul® Fitness is an international Christian fitness organization that trains and equips instructors to lead a variety of group fitness programs including choreographed aerobics-style Cardio Strength & Flexibility™, cardio dance style Dance Blast™, free-weights-focused Power Strength™, boot camp style FIT360™ and Longevity FIT360™, and GOLD™ - lower impact programming for participants that are pregnant, have weight challenges, injuries, or other medical conditions. These exercise classes meet in church gyms, community centers, gymnasiums, parking lots, schools, etc. across the United States, Europe, and Africa. In-person and virtual fitness classes are available.

Key words: Christian fitness, women's exercise classes, group fitness, dance aerobics classes, Christian group fitness, Christian fitness app, FitTV, Body & Soul, Body and Soul, fitness instuctor training, low impact exercise