A very special gift from God

Facebook… It’s a word that has touched so many young hearts in the modern world. This is the number one way of keeping in touch with all your friends. In the same way, you also get to meet new friends. I was a Facebook addict, and this is how I met my best friend Ryan.

Ryan and I had worked in the same company for more than two years but surprisingly had never met each other. On that day when I had the friend request from him I wondered who he was. After looking at his picture I realized that I had seen him around in office. I accepted the request with doubts in my mind of what sort of a person he was, but soon I realized that the decision I made that day, was hundred percent the right thing to do! It was far more the best thing I’ve ever done, as that simple friend request led into a life time of a beautiful friendship.

Ryan and I started chatting online, and each time we chatted we ended up with lots of laughter. We spoke about our families, work, and even our own separate love lives. My heart and mind felt relaxed with him. Stress just disappeared. I was not worried about anything. I was happier than ever, and I knew that so was he.

However in between the happiness I found out that Ryan, unlike me, had a heart breaking past. He lost both his parents three years back, and had since lived with his mother’s sister. His aunt loved him a lot, but Ryan felt lonely as he had no parents or siblings. He eased his pain by talking to me even more often. By this time Ryan had taken a very special place in my heart, and surprisingly had become one of my best friends.

Then one day Ryan told me something that made my heart stop. Ryan had a very rare heart condition, where one side of his heart was very weak. He had had it since birth, but had found out only couple of years back and had continuously taken medication for it. He was due for an operation in two months time and had to fly overseas for this to be done. I was worried. I prayed for him whenever I thought of him. Ryan always spoke as if that very day was the last day of his life. He believed he was going to die. But I didn’t! I knew God wouldn’t take him away right now. God made us meet in a very unusual way, and ended up making us best friends. God couldn’t take him away from me just like that! I didn’t want him to.

The problem with having a heart disease was the very fact that there was a high risk involved in the operation. I was worried because I knew Ryan was suffering. Every night he suffered from chest pains. A simple cold or cough could make him feel worse. The operation had to be done; the risk had to be taken. I prayed for him over and over, and I asked him to do the same. If there was one person who could make his pain disappear, it was God! I knew it!

Months passed in a flash, and I had to say goodbye to Ryan as he left the country one week prior to the operation. He asked me to be safe, and promised me that he would call me as soon as the operation was done. I was happy that his aunt was going with him, as I knew it would make him stronger. I spent most of my day praying. I did lots of charity work, behalf of Ryan, praying for a cure. I was worried as I had not heard from him since the day he left, but I also knew that God was watching over him for me. And I was confident that he would be cured.

Finally it was the day of the operation. I woke up in the morning and ran to church. I asked Jesus to watch over my best friend, who was now at the operation theatre. I had tears in my eyes as I looked at the clock. Time passed, and I felt eased as I came home. Something about that hour in church made me feel good. I felt that everything was going to be ok. After a long sigh, I smiled. I thought about the way Ryan used to come on Facebook, just to chat with me and bug me. I had enjoyed those conversations so much. I smiled to myself, thinking of the way Ryan used to be there for me whenever I needed a friend. He had once stayed up all night just because I was stuck at work doing overtime, and he could not sleep until I had safely reached home.

There it was… The call I had expected! My mobile was ringing! I ran and answered the call.
“Ryan!” I said. I was breathless, but was full of hope.
“Don’t worry!” he said. “The operation was successful. I’m gonna live forever!”

I smiled in between tears of happiness. God had answered my prayer! My best buddy was alright. Now we could be friends forever. Life was amazing. We get so many ups and downs, but there would always be a happy ending. I waited impatiently for Ryan to come back. Then we could meet again, have a coffee, hang out in the same way we always have. I smiled. This was far most the biggest gift I’ve ever received from God. God had given me my best friend back!