John Thomas had many names. His friends called him “JT”, but as his momma, I call him John Thomas or Johnny. Johnny was 17 years old and he is our youngest son. He was a senior in high school and a student in the Automotive class. Johnny loved cars and music. He also loved playing guitar, bass, and drums.

 

He was active in his church’s praise band and in the Chrysalis community in Louisville, KY. He took his role of “friend” very serious and made sure to make friends where ever he went. One of the coolest things about JT was that he didn’t just make friends like most of us make friends.  You see everybody was special to him. If you told JT something, he would never forget it. He took the time to make sure that each person felt important. One way that he achieved that was by sending encouraging texts and making phone calls to just say "I’m thinking of you". He spent much of his time making sure his friends, and even people he didn’t know, were having a good day. He was a genuine friend, which is rare these days.

 

The Bible verse he lived by was "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind"; and, "Love your neighbor as yourself”.

Mark 12:30-31,

 

John Thomas once gave a talk to a group of peers. He spoke to them about what it meant to be a friend. He said there are three important parts to being a friend.

 

1. Be respectful, don't assume others have a relationship with God.

2. Be interested in others experiences with God, but remember it's not a contest.

3. Be a gentlemen, Don't force God on others. Jesus showed respect and acceptance to everyone.  

 

He ended his talk by saying " Let me challenge you to make a friend, be a friend, and most importantly bring a friend to the loving arms of Jesus Christ.”