I met Jodi over 33 years ago. I was a freshman in college and she was my RA. Every morning, we were among the first up on our floor. We would pass each other as we each headed off to pray. It didn’t take long for us to become friends. The next year we roomed together and have been best friends ever since.

I don’t know how it started but Jodi and I would try to see who could scare the other one in the craziest of ways. One night, I got home from work before anyone else did (or so I thought). I was using the restroom when all of a sudden, the shower curtain flies open and there is Jodi screaming with pantyhose on her head. Scared the snot out of me. Another time, I got home first and crawled under her bed. I waited for about 10 minutes, until she was almost asleep.  Just as she was about to doze off, I reached up and grabbed her. And people wonder why I am so jumpy and startle so easily.

Jodi and I differ in many ways. I remember a day when we shared our favorite music: she played black gospel for me, and I played Bob Dylan for her. 😊 Jodi is very extroverted to my more ambivert ways.  But our love for Jesus and heart for ministry bonds us  together  (and our love for 1930s version of Nancy Drew).

Jodi is also one of the best preachers I have ever heard, which makes this next part hard to write.

About 11 years ago while Jodi was preaching, her voice began to go. She had onset of symptoms that would take about 5 years to diagnose. Six years ago, her neurologist officially diagnosed her with PLS (which is a slow-moving cousin of ALS). Watching her navigate this condition plus an autoimmune on top of it has been awe-inspiring to me. There are not many people I respect more than I do Jodi.

Throughout it all, Jodi has continued to serve the Lord with joy. She has not let herself be defined by the disease nor isolate herself. She does not ignore what is happening to her or pretend it doesn’t bother her. She has rough days but she has allowed and continues to allow the Lord to put it in its proper place.

Jodi and her husband Kevin (whom I adore almost as much as Jodi) recently retired due to her ALS. Seeing how Kevin truly laid down his life and ministry for his wife, humbles me. I was in their wedding all those years ago and seeing them live out the vows, for better, for worse, in sickness or in health brings so much honor to Jesus.

I could not imagine my life without Jodi in it. She is always just a text away when I need prayer or encouragement. She always seems to know when to text me when I’m struggling.

So today, I give thanks for Jodi. Her friendship and example of how to live life amid adversity encourages me to be a better person. And that is what a friend is, someone who accepts you as you are but also spurs you on to be the best version of yourself.