It’s almost as though they sense when it’s coming and they swoop to support.
I’m not sure if people are ever meant to have lots and lots of friends. When you consider what’s involved in a close relationship, the investment of time, the sharing of lives, progressing from simply superficial acquaintance to deep understanding, it is a challenge to do that with many people.
Quite a bit is written about how those who are rich and famous are suddenly popular and make friends. It’s easy to make friends when the sun is shining and it’s your round and you’re in the money.
What about when finding round coins is a struggle, let alone finding enough to get a round, where are the friends then? Where are the friends when you’re accused of wrongdoing and nobody believes when you protest your innocence? Where are the friends when your wife and children leave you alone? where are the friends when you fall into a deep and dark depression with no sense of any light anywhere, let alone at the end of any tunnel?
Let me tell you where they are. They are right there for you. That’s what makes them friends.
Wisdom states clearly:
Friends love at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. (Proverbs 17:17)
Friends are right there for you. The time matters not, they love to love you. That’s not about tolerating nonsense and condoning foolishness. That’s certainly not about saying things as sweet as pie to your face whilst bad-mouthing you behind your back.
What makes them friends – what makes them virtually members of the family – is there commitment to stick with you. Have an argument, upset each other, work it through, apologise and stick with each other. One will fall down or feel sick, the other will support by being a presence, tending to any needs, loving in word and deed.
There are some who have never had the benefit of knowing real friends. Used and abused all their life, it appears to be all they’re ever used to. Those who know better and experienced better have a chance to share that with those who have not. Building those bridges of kindness to others in this way can keep the love moving. It doesn’t have to be many people – there’s enough to go round for people to experience this love that sticks closer than any brother.
This love can clear up misunderstandings. This love can prioritise peace in relationships over wanting to be and feel right all the time. This love will do what it takes to make sure the broken-hearted receive the healing they need. This love will break down any roof to make sure those crippled with guilt can embrace forgiveness and restoration, This love will lay down its life for its friends and pass that love along.
That’s what friends do. That’s what friends are for. We’re not sure how they do it, but they do it.
It’s almost as though they sense when it’s coming and they swoop to support.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 