Blessing Number Five

Do you have any friends? I do. Just a few, of course, because you seldom have but so many. Now, I’m not talking about people whom you hang out with and have fun with, though certainly this is something that is often true of friends. I’m talking about much more than that.

I have someone who called me once when she heard I had a potentially serious medical problem and she cried over the phone because it hurt her that I had to go through that trial. Those tears came from a heart of love. Through the years, she has been consistent in her readiness to step in and help if she thinks I have any need of any sort whatsoever. Quietly, in the background. That’s one friend.

I have another person who lets me pour out my heart to her whenever I have something tearing me up inside, even if it’s something dumb. She recently called me at ten in the evening to tell me she loves me and that she’s glad for my friendship. That was all she wanted that night. She’s young enough to be my daughter, by the way, but we usually forget about that. That’s another friend.

There’s this other lady who is sure to direct my thoughts to the Lord whenever we talk. But if she sees me step over the line into sinful attitudes or actions, she has been faithful enough to wound me and point it out. That’s one more friend.

There are a couple of more sweet folks who are dear and real, but I don’t want to make this too long.

When my mom was here in our home, dying from cancer, it was the darkest time in my life thus far. The first friend mentioned above came to sit in the room by my mom’s side from time to time. The second friend above sewed beautiful warm nightgowns for my mom to wear while lying in her hospital bed at our house. The third friend mentioned came weekly with her husband to have prayer and sing hymns with my mother. They were all lights in my darkness.

These three people and I have rejoiced together, wept together and prayed together. Time has only strengthened the bond, even if we go weeks without talking. Our ages haven’t mattered, nor has our skin colors. God has given these people to me to make my life richer. Do you have any people like this in your life? I hope so, for your sake.

Thank you Lord, for my friends.

How beautiful the sight
Of brethren who agree
In friendship to unite
And bonds of charity;
“Tis like the precious ointment shed
O’er all his robes, from Aaron’s head.
~James Montgomery, 1771-1854