You can kiss your family and friends good-bye and put miles between you, but at the same time you carry them with you in your heart, your mind, your stomach, because you do not just live in a world but a world lives in you. – Frederick Buechner, Telling the Truth
At a very painful time in my life I moved cross-country to be sheltered under the wings of old friends. Those friends will now forever by my family. Love bloomed big in our midst.
This week I was visited by friends who I would have never met had I not walked through a great storm. In fact our friendship was solidified by it. They drove three days to see me. What a gift!
I challenge you to consider what blessing of friends you’ve been given as a result of the most difficult experiences in your life. There is nothing God does not redeem with some form of goodness.
I pray that if you’re in the fire right now, you begin to look for those friends who make the price of the trial worthwhile.
And let’s not forget that Jesus is the Greatest Friend of all. As for myself, it was a mighty fire that drew me close to Him. A True Friend indeed.
Amen.
I read this and was reminded to BE a friend to people when they go through hard times. They don’t need judgment, they need my friendship. Thank you.