Hey, Carpool Crew! Happy Sunday, and happy National Friendship Day. I'm Pastor Justin, and before we jump in, let me give a big shout-out to Judah, Cale and Hattie from Rensselaer, Missouri. Three of you on one shout-out, that is a whole crew. So glad you are with us this weekend. And this episode is about the best friend you might be forgetting you have. You know how the first day of school feels a little less scary when you know one friend is walking in with you? Yeah. What if that Friend is with you every single day? Let's jump in with the one thing I want you to remember for the ride: Jesus calls you His friend, and that Friend walks into the building with you every day. Listen to this from John 15:15. Jesus says, "I do not call you servants anymore... I have called you friends." Stop and hear that. The King of everything looked at you and did not say worker, or fan, or follower. He said friend. Jesus said this to His closest people right before the hardest days of their lives. He wanted them to know they were not alone, and neither are you. Here is the part that lands. A friend is not just someone who likes you. A friend is someone who shows up and stays. And Jesus does not drop you off at the door. He walks in. If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, He would lean over and say, "I am not just up in heaven watching. I am your friend, and I am walking into that classroom right beside you. You are not doing today alone." It is the first week, and you are heading into a room where you do not know many people yet. It can feel like walking in alone. But picture it differently: your best friend is right beside you, matching you step for step, all the way to your seat. That Friend is Jesus, and He is actually there. Hey, this week, try these two things. First, at the door of the scariest part of your day, whisper it: Jesus, walk in with me. Second, be that kind of friend to somebody else. Walk in beside a kid who looks like they are doing it alone. Hey, let's go back to that one thing I wanted you to remember for the ride. Jesus calls you His friend, and that Friend walks into the building with you every day. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, it is National Friendship Day, so here is an idea: share this episode with a friend whose family could use it. Good things are better passed around. Before you go, let's answer this question together. Where in your day do you most need to remember Jesus is walking in right beside you? I'll see you tomorrow on Carpooling with Jesus.
