What was it about her that endeared her to so many?  I think it was her love for others.  She loved her family dearly and her friends were very dear to her, too.  Mrs. Anita was a friend par excellence.

Mrs. Anita was a special friend to those who were suffering.  Her expressions of loving concern and friendship were so appreciated by those who were hurting because they knew that Mrs. Anita cared and that she knew a lot about what they were experiencing.  She could sympathize and often empathize with those who were struggling, for Mrs. Anita had some struggles of her own.  For example, she battled cancer several times in her 83 years.  She would often reach out to those who were battling cancer – taking treatments and suffering the side effects.

A dear friend and fellow cancer-sufferer, Eloise Crews, wrote these words in a card to Mrs. Anita:

“One of the blessings of our mutual experience with cancer has been your love and friendship for me.  You will never know how much your concern for me, and your willingness to share your feelings and side effects have helped me cope and lifted my spirits.  The world of cancer is a fearful and strange place to enter.  You were there for me, dear friend.  I thank you for everything you and Brother Charles have done for us, especially your prayers to our heavenly Father.”

What a friend Mrs. Anita was.  What was it that made her such a wonderful friend?  I think it was because of another Friend that Anita had.

Mrs. Anita grew up in a fairly religious home, but religion was something rather cold and formal at first.  But she recalled hearing a song that began to change her perspective; the song was “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”

“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!”
-- Joseph Scriven

Mrs. Anita understood that the Creator of the Universe actually loved and cared for her!  It was not long before she and her husband Charles learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, obeyed it, and dedicated their lives to demonstrating their love for their Friend Jesus by doing His will (see John 14:15).

How great a Friend is Jesus?  He gave His life for YOU so that you might have forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:7).

God will “befriend” and save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

Won’t YOU accept God’s offer of salvation, “friendship,” and eternal life by trusting and obeying Jesus today?

What many of us have learned from Anita Ryals is having a Friend in Jesus not only prepares us for heaven but makes us a better friend to others.