I thank my God for all the memories I have of you. ~ Phil. 1:13 (GWT)
It's been awhile since I put up a new blog post, lots has been going on and my promise is still to only post when I have something real to say. Recently, a dear friend and fellow worshiping artist departed this life, and I had the opportunity to share some words at her repast after the service. She was a true gift from God and a friend in every definition. When we realize the power of friendship, we will hopefully learn to be more supportive of one another, more Christlike in our behavior, and more understanding of our differences. When that happens, there will be no room for competition...I believe that we wouldn't even want to compete with one another if we really realized the power of friendship. No, everyone will not be our friend, and we can't be friends with everyone. But, we can be kinder and treat others as Christ would treat them.
Cynthia Manker was a prolific writer, actor, communicator, motivator, public relations and media specialist, and most of all, a true worshiper of Christ. She lived in the revelation of Ephesians 6:13 "...After having done all...Stand". Even when she could no longer physically stand, her spirit stood tall. She was a wonderful friend to me, and we worked together in the same drama ministry for six years. These are the words I had the opportunity to speak about her today:
August 6, 1998 was not only my birthday, it was the day
that God blessed me with one of the greatest gifts I would ever have, a friend
named Cynthia. On stage and off, we were complete opposites in almost
everything, in height, in taste, in animals: I loved cats, she thought they
were sneaky, she watched TV, I got rid of mine. She was the extrovert, I was the introvert,
when I would stress out, she would see the bright side. If
there were a theme song for our friendship, it would be: "Count on Me"
but I won’t sing. I called to cry on her shoulder many a night and she would
listen and never once judge me, but wouldn’t hesitate to call me out if I was
in the wrong. Once, she talked me into
being part of her clown act “Quacky & Company” at a church picnic, (she was
Quacky, I was Company) and I went along, being the willing drama student that I
was. It was my first and last time EVER being a clown but that’s another story.
But for 17 years, we were in each other’s corner, at our best, and at our
worst. We both loved the Lord, and watching The Hoarders because we were afraid
of becoming pack rats. Our running joke was “Cynthia, find my show”. She was my
friend, and I will miss her.
Cynthia was a reader of my blog, and I'm glad we shared many ministry times together, as well as a great friendship. Today's blog is dedicated to her, to remind everyone to honor those who you work with in ministry, whether you sing together, dance together, mime, act, do music or visual art. You never know when you won't have those times again. So, love them, uplift them, and support them!
Blessings...
